Foxconn 720MX, 720MX-K Owner's Manual

720MX/M78MX Series

Motherboard

User’s Manual

Statement:

This manual is the intellectual property of Foxconn, Inc. Although the information

in this manual may be changed or modied at any time, Foxconn does not obligate

itself to inform the user of these changes.

Trademark:

All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Version:

User’s Manual V1.0 for 720MX/M78MX Series motherboard.

P/N: 3A220UG00-000-G

Symbol description:

Caution : refers to important information that can help you to use motherboard

better, and tells you how to avoid problems.

Warning : indicating a potential risk of hardware damage or physical injury

may exist.

WEEE:

The use of this symbol indicates that this product may not be treated as household

waste. By ensuring this product is disposed of correctly, you will help prevent potential

negative consequences for the environment and human health, which could other-

wise be caused by inappropriate waste handling of this product. For more detailed

information about recycling of this product, please contact your local city ofce, your

household waste disposal service or the shop where you purchased this product.

More information:

If you want more information about our products, please visit Foxconn’s

website: http://www.foxconnchannel.com

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© All rights reserved.

All trade names are registered trademarks of respective manufacturers listed.

All images are for reference only, please refer to the physical motherboard for specic features.

Declaration of conformity

HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY COMPANY LTD

66 , CHUNG SHAN RD., TU-CHENG INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT,

TAIPEI HSIEN, TAIWAN, R.O.C.

declares that the product

Motherboard 720MX/720MX-K/M78MX

is in conformity with

(reference to the specication under which conformity is declared in

accordance with 89/336 EEC-EMC Directive)

■ EN 55022:1998/A2: 2003 Limits and methods of measurements of radio

disturbance characteristics of information technology
equipment

■ EN 61000-3-2/:2000 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)

Part 3: Limits
Section 2: Limits for harmonic current emissions
(equipment input current <= 16A per phase)

■ EN 61000-3-3/A1:2001 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)

Part 3: Limits

Section 2: Limits of voltage uctuations and icker in low

voltage supply systems for equipment with rated current
<= 16A

■ EN 55024/A2:2003 Information technology equipment-Immunity

characteristics limits and methods of measurement

Signature : Place / Date : TAIPEI/2008

Printed Name : James Liang

Declaration of conformity

Trade Name: FOXCONN

Model Name:

720MX/720MX-K/M78MX

Responsible Party: PCE Industry Inc.

Address: 458 E. Lambert Rd.

Fullerton, CA 92835

Telephone: [phone]

Facsimile: 714-738-8838

Equipment Classication: FCC Class B Subassembly

Type of Product: Motherboard

Manufacturer: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY

COMPANY LTD

Address: 66 , CHUNG SHAN RD., TU-CHENG

INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT, TAIPEI HSIEN,

TAIWAN, R.O.C.

Supplementary Information:

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following

two conditions : (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device

must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired

operation.

Tested to comply with FCC standards.

Signature : Date : 2008

Installation Precautions

Please carefully read the following procedures to install your computer :

■ It is suggested to select high-quality, certied fans in order to avoid damage

to the motherboard and CPU due to high temperature. Never turn on the

computer if the CPU fan is not properly installed.

■ We cannot guarantee that your system can operate normally when your

CPU is overclocked. Normal operation depends on the overclocking capac-

ity of your device.

■ If there is any, when connecting USB, audio, RS232 COM, IrDA or S/PDIF

cables to the internal connectors on the motherboard, make sure their

pinouts are matching with the connectors on the motherboard. Incorrect con-

nections might damage the motherboard.

■ When handling the motherboard, avoid touching any metal leads or connec-

tors.

■ If there is a PCI Express x16 graphics card installed in your system, we

recommend using a 24-pin ATX power supply to get the best performance.

■ Before turning on the power, please make sure the power supply AC input

voltage setting has been congured to the local standard.

■ To prevent damage to the motherboard, do not allow screws to come in contact

with the motherboard circuit or its components. Also, make sure there are no

leftover screws or metal components placed on the motherboard or within the

computer casing.

■ If you are uncertain about any installation steps or have a problem related to

the use of the product, please consult a certied computer technician.

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■ Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is the sudden and momentary electric current

that ows between two objects at different electrical potentials. Normally it

comes out as a spark which will quickly damage your electronic equipment.

Please wear an electrostatic discharge (ESD) wrist strap when handling

components such as a motherboard, CPU or memory.

■ Ensure that the DC power supply is turned off before installing or removing

CPU, memory, expansion cards or other peripherals. It is recommended to

unplug the AC power cord from the power supply outlet. Failure to unplug

the power supply cord may result in serious damage to your system.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1 Product Introduction

Product Specications .................................................................. 2

Layout ........................................................................................... 4

Back Panel Connectors ................................................................ 5

Chapter 2 Hardware Install

Install the CPU and CPU Cooler ..................................................8

Install the Memory ......................................................................10

Install an Expansion Card .......................................................... 12

Install other Internal Connectors ................................................ 13

Jumpers ......................................................................................17

Chapter 3 BIOS Setup

Enter BIOS Setup ....................................................................... 19

Main Menu ..................................................................................19

System Information .................................................................... 21

Fox Central Control Unit ............................................................. 23

Advanced BIOS Features ........................................................... 28

Advanced Chipset Features .......................................................29

Integrated Peripherals ................................................................30

Power Management Setup ......................................................... 36

PC Health Status ........................................................................ 38

Load Optimized Defaults ...........................................................39

Set Supervisor Password ........................................................... 39

Set User Password .....................................................................39

Save & Exit Setup ...................................................................... 39

Exit Without Saving ....................................................................39

Chapter 4 CD Instruction

Utility CD content ........................................................................41

Install driver and utility ................................................................ 42

FOX ONE

Main Page ............................................................................. 44

CPU Control .......................................................................... 48

Frequency Control ................................................................50

Limit Setting ..........................................................................51

Voltage Control .....................................................................53

Fan Control ...........................................................................54

FOX LiveUpdate

Local Update ......................................................................... 55

Online Update ....................................................................... 57

Congure .............................................................................60

About & Help ......................................................................... 62

FOX LOGO .................................................................................63

FOX DMI .................................................................................... 64

Chapter 5 RAID Conguration

RAID Conguration Introduction ................................................. 67

NVIDIA MediaShield Driver ........................................................ 69

Create two RAID Driver Diskettes .............................................. 71

RAID Enable in BIOS .................................................................73

Select a RAID Array for Use .......................................................73

Install a New Windows XP.......................................................... 89

Setting Up a Non-Bootable RAID Array ...................................... 96

Technical Support :

Website :

http://www.foxconnchannel.com

Support Website :

http://www.foxconnsupport.com

Worldwide online contact Support :

http://www.foxconnchannel.com/support/online.aspx

CPU, Memory, VGA Compatibility Supporting Website :

http://www.foxconnchannel.com/product/Motherboards/compatibility.aspx

Support

Thank you for buying Foxconn 720MX/M78MX Series motherboard.

Foxconn products are engineered to maximize computing power,

providing only what you need for break-through performance.

With advanced overclocking capability and a range of connectivity

features for today multi-media computing requirements, 720MX/

720MX-K/M78MX enables you to unleash more power from your

computer.

This chapter includes the following information:

■ Product Specications

■ Layout

■ Back Panel Connectors

1

2

1-1 Product Specications

CPU Support AMD socket AM2+ Phenom

TM

series processors:

Support AMD socket AM2 series processors:

Athlon

TM

64X2 Dual-Core / Athlon

TM

X2 Dual-Core / Athlon

TM

64 /

Sempron

TM

HyperTransport 2000/1600MT/s for AM2 CPU

Up to 5200MT/S (HT3.0) for AM2+ CPU

Chipset NVIDIA nForce 720a (720MX Series)

NVIDIA GeForce 8200 (M78MX Series)

Memory 2 x 240-pin DDR2 DIMM sockets

Support up to 4GB of system memory

Dual channel DDR2 1066*/800/667/533MHz architecture

*DDR2 1066 is only supported by some AM2+ CPU

Audio Realtek 6-channel audio chip (720MX-K)

Realtek 8-channel audio chip (720MX/M78MX)

High Denition Audio

2/4/5.1/7.1-channel

Support for S/PDIF Out

Support Jack-Sensing function

LAN Realtek Gigabit LAN chip

Expansion Slots 1 x PCI Express x16 slot

1 x PCI Express x1 slot

2 x PCI slots

Onboard Serial ATA 4 x SATA connectors

300MB/s data transfer rate

Support hot plug and NCQ (Native Command Queuing )

USB Support hot plug

Support up to 12 x USB 2.0 ports (4 rear panel ports, 4 onboard USB

headers supporting 8 extra ports)

Support USB 2.0 protocol up to 480Mb/s

Internal Connectors 1 x 24-pin ATX main power connector

1 x 4-pin ATX 12V power connector

1 x Floppy disk drive connector

1 x IDE connector

4 x SATA connectors

4 x USB 2.0 connectors (supporting 8 x USB devices)

1 x CPU fan header (4-pin)

1 x System fan header (4-pin)

1 x Front panel connector

1 x CD_IN connector

1 x Front Audio connector

1 x COM1 connector

1 x COM2 connector

1 x IrDA connector

1

3

1 x Chassis intrusion alarm header (INTR)

1 x S/PDIF_OUT connector

1 x Buzzer (or Speaker connector)

Back Panel 1 x PS/2 keyboard port

Connectors 1 x PS/2 mouse port

1 x VGA port

1 x Parallel port

1 x DVI-D port

4 x USB 2.0 ports

1 x RJ-45 LAN port

7.1-channel Audio ports (720MX/M78MX)

5.1-channel Audio ports (720MX-K)

Hardware Monitor System voltage detection

CPU/System temperature detection

CPU/System fan speed detection

CPU/System overheating warning

CPU/System fan speed control

PCI Express x1 Support 250MB/s (500MB/s concurrent) bandwidth

Low power consumption and power management features

PCI Express x16 Support 4GB/s (8GB/s concurrent) bandwidth

Low power consumption and power management features

Green Function Support ACPI (Advanced Conguration and Power Interface)

Support S0 (normal), S1 (power on suspend), S3 (suspend to RAM), S4

(suspend to disk), and S5 (soft - off)

Bundled Software FOX ONE

FOX LiveUpdate

FOX LOGO

FOX DMI

Operating System Support for Microsoft® Windows® Vista/XP only

Form Factor Micro ATX Form Factor, 9.6 inches x 8.6 inches (24.4cm x 21.8cm)

The chipset driver of this motherboard does not support Windows® 2000.

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1

4

1-2 Layout

9

18

20

12

8

13. Chipset:

NVIDIA nForce 720a(720MX Series)

NVIDIA GeForce 8200(M78MX Series)

14. Clear CMOS Jumper

15. Front USB Connectors

16. Front Panel Connector

17. SATA Connectors

18. IDE Connector

19 24-pin ATX Power Connector

20. DDR2 DIMM Slots

21. CPU_FAN Header

22. CPU Socket

23. 4-pin ATX 12V Power Connector

Note : The above motherboard layout is for reference only, please refer to the physical mother-

board for detail.

10

14

15

21

16

17

22

23

1. COM1 Connector

2. COM2 Connector

3. IrDA Connector

4. Chassis Intrusion Alarm Header

5. PCI Express x16 Slot

6. PCI Express x1 Slot

7. PCI Slots

8. Front Audio Connector

9. CD_IN Connector

10. S/PDIF Out Connector

11. SYS_FAN Header

12. Floppy Connector

11

6

5

7

4

3

2

1

13

19

1

5

1-3 Back Panel Connectors

1. PS/2 Mouse Port

Use the upper port (green) to connect a PS/2 mouse.

2. PS/2 Keyboard Port

Use the lower port (purple) to connect a PS/2 keyboard.

3. Parallel Port

This connector provides printer port interface.

4. DVI-D Port

The DVI-D port supports DVI-D specication. Connect a monitor that supports DVI-D connection

to this port.

5. VGA Port

To connect with external display devices, such as monitor or LCD display.

6. USB Ports

The USB port supports the USB 2.0/1.1 specication. Use this port for USB devices such as an

USB keyboard/mouse, USB printer, USB ash drive and etc.

Parallel Port

3

PS/2 Keyboard Port

PS/2 Mouse Port

7

1

Audio Ports

Line Out

Microphone

Subwoofer

Rear Speaker

Side Speaker

Line In

LAN Port

8

VGA Port

5

DVI-D Port

4

2

USB Ports

6

Back panel of 720MX/M78MX :

Back panel of 720MX-K :

Line Out

Microphone

Line In

7

Audio Ports

1

6

7. Audio Ports

For the denition of each audio port, please refer to the table below :

Audio ports of 720MX/M78MX :

Port 2-channel 4-channel 5.1-channel 7.1-channel

Blue Line In Line In Line In Line In

Green Line Out Front Speaker Out Front Speaker Out Front Speaker Out

Pink Microphone In Microphone In Microphone In Microphone In

Orange - - Center/Subwoofer Out Center/Subwoofer Out

Black - Rear Speaker Out Rear Speaker Out Rear Speaker Out

Grey - - - Side Speaker Out

Port 2-channel 4-channel 5.1-channel

Blue Line In Rear Speaker Out* Rear Speaker Out*

Green Line Out Front Speaker Out Front Speaker Out

Pink Microphone In Microphone In Center/Subwoofer Out*

* : Please refer to Chapter 4, and install the Realtek audio driver (in CD) to assign the audio

output ports for different applications of 2/4/5.1 channels. The fundamental audio outputs are

depicted in the table above.

Audio ports of 720MX-K :

8. RJ-45 LAN Port

The Ethernet LAN port provides Internet connection at up to 10/100/1000Mb/s data rate.

LAN Type

Left: Active Right: Link

Status Description Status Description

1000M

Off No Link Off No Link

Green

Blinking

Data Activity

Off 10Mb/s Connection

Green 100Mb/s Connection

Orange 1000Mb/s Connection

Link

LED

Active

LED

This chapter introduces the hardware installation process, including

the installation of the CPU, memory, power supply, slots, pin headers

and the mounting of jumpers. Caution should be exercised during

the installation of these modules. Please refer to the motherboard

layout prior to any installation and read the contents in this chapter

carefully.

This chapter includes the following information :

■ Install the CPU and CPU Cooler

■ Install the Memory

■ Install an Expansion Card

■ Install other Internal Connectors

■ Jumpers

This motherboard supports low power energy-saving CPUs (drawing less than

95W under normal operation).

This currently includes most PhenomTM Series, AthlonTM 64X2 Dual-Core pro-

cessors, and all AthlonTM 64, AthlonTM X2 Dual-Core and SempronTM models.

CPUs with a power rating higher than 95W are not supported, and will result in

system working abnormally or damaging the hardware.

Please visit this website for more supporting information about CPU, Memory

and VGA for your motherboard :

http://www.foxconnchannel.com/product/Motherboards/compatibility.aspx

2

8

2-1 Install the CPU and CPU Cooler

Install the CPU

Locate the Pin-1 CPU triangle mark and the Pin-1 of the CPU socket.

Pin-1 triangle

marking of CPU

Pin-1 corner of the

CPU socket

1. Release the CPU socket lever.

2. Align Pin-1 of the CPU with the CPU

socket, and gently put the CPU

onto the socket.

Read the following guidelines before you begin to install the CPU :

■ Make sure that the motherboard supports the CPU.

■ Always turn off the computer and unplug the power cord from the power supply before

installing the CPU to prevent hardware damage.

■ Locate the Pin-1 of the CPU. The CPU cannot be inserted if oriented incorrectly.

■ Apply an even and thin layer of thermal grease on the surface of the CPU.

■ Do not turn on the computer if the CPU cooler is not installed, otherwise overheating

and damage of the CPU may occur.

■ Set the CPU host frequency in accordance with the CPU specications. It is not

recommended that the system bus frequency be set beyond hardware specications

since it does not meet the standard requirements for the peripherals. If you want to

set the frequency beyond the standard specications, please do so according to your

hardware specications including the CPU, graphics card, memory, hard drive, etc.

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3. When CPU is properly seated, push

the CPU socket lever back to its locked

position.

Install the CPU Cooler

Follow the steps below to correctly install the CPU cooler. (The following procedures use Foxconn
cooler as the example.)

1. Apply and spread an even thermal

grease on the surface of CPU.

2. Buckle the heatsink rmly at one
side of the stand.

3. Buckle the heatsink at another

side, and press the fasten lever

down to tightly seat the cooler.

4. Attach t he 3-wire C PU cooler

connector to the CPU fan header

on the motherboard .

Use extreme care when removing the CPU cooler because the thermal grease may
adhere to the CPU. Inadequately removing the CPU cooler may damage the CPU.

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2-2 Install the Memory

Dual Channel Memory Conguration

This motherboard provides two DDR2 memory sockets and supports Dual Channel Technology.

When memory is installed, the BIOS will automatically check the memory in your system.

Two DDR2 memory sockets are divided into two channels :

Channel 0 : DIMM1

Channel 1 : DIMM2

The combinations of DIMM modules are :

It is recommended that memory of the same capacity, brand, speed, and chips be

used and please select dual channel rst to achieve optimum performance.

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Read the following guidelines before you begin to install the memory :

■ Make sure that the motherboard supports the memory. It is recommended that memory

of the same capacity, brand, speed, and chips be used.

■ Always turn off the computer and unplug the power cord from the power outlet before

installing the memory to prevent hardware damage.

■ Memory modules have a foolproof design. A memory module can be installed in only

one direction. If you are unable to insert the memory, switch the direction.

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DIMM1 DIMM2

Single Channel DS/SS -

Dual Channel DS/SS DS/SS

(DS : Double Side, SS : Single Side, - : No Memory)

2

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Installing a Memory

If you take a look at front side of memory module, it has asymmetric pin counts on both sides separated

by a notch in the middle, so it can only t in one direction. Follow the steps below to correctly install

your memory modules into the sockets.

Step 1:
Spread the clips at both ends of the memory socket.
Place the memory module onto the socket, then put

your ngers on top edge of the module, and push
it down rmly and seat it vertically into the memory

socket.

Step 2:
The clips at both ends of the socket will snap into place
when the memory module is securely inserted.

Before installing a memory module, make sure to turn off the computer and unplug the

power cord from the power outlet to prevent damage to the memory module. Be sure

to install DDR2 DIMMs on this motherboard.

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112-Pin128-Pin

Notch

2

12

2-3 Install an Expansion Card

Follow the steps below to correctly install your expansion card in the expansion slot.

1. Locate an expansion slot that supports your card. Remove the metal slot cover from the chassis

back panel.

2. Align the card with the slot, and press down on the card until it is fully seated in the slot.

3. Make sure the metal contacts on the card are completely inserted into the slot.

4. Secure the card's metal bracket to the chassis back panel with a screw.

5. After installing all expansion cards, replace the chassis cover.

6. Turn on your computer. If necessary, go to BIOS Setup to make any required BIOS changes for

your expansion card(s).

7. Install the driver provided with the expansion card in your operating system.

Installing and Removing a PCI Express x16 Graphics Card :

• Installing a Graphics Card:

Gently insert the graphics card into the PCI Express x16 slot.

Make sure the graphics card is locked by the latch at the end of

the PCI Express x16 slot.

• Removing the Card:

Push the latch at the end of the PCI Express x16 slot to release
the card and then pull the card straight up from the slot.

PCI

PCI Express x1

PCI Express x16

■ Make sure the motherboard supports the expansion card. Carefully read the manual

that came with your expansion card.

■ Always turn off the computer and unplug the power cord from the power outlet before

installing an expansion card to prevent hardware damage.

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2-4 Install other Internal Connectors

Power Connectors

This motherboard uses an ATX power supply. In order not to damage any device, make sure all the
devices have been installed properly before applying the power supply.

24-pin ATX power connector : PWR1

PWR1 is the ATX power supply connector. Make sure that the power supply cable and pins are
properly aligned with the connector on the motherboard. Firmly plug the power supply cable into the
connector and make sure it is secure.

4-pin ATX 12 V Power Connector : PWR2

Connect the 4-pin ATX 12V power supply to PWR2 and provides power to the CPU.

We recommend you using a 24-pin power supply.

If you are using a 20-pin power supply, you need
to align the ATX power connector according to
the picture.

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Pin No. 24

20-Pin Power

Pin # Denition

1 GND

2 GND

3 +12V

4 +12V

3 1

GND

+12V

4 2

PWR2

Pin # Denition Pin # Denition

1 3.3V 13 3.3V

2 3.3V 14 -12V

3 GND 15 GND

4 +5V 16 PS_ON(Soft On/Off)

5 GND 17 GND

6 +5V 18 GND

7 GND 19 GND

8 Power Good 20 NC

9 +5V SB(Stand by +5V) 21 +5V

10 +12V 22 +5V

11 +12V 23 +5V

12 3.3V 24 GND

PWR1

24

13

12

1

2

14

Front Panel Connector : FP1

This motherboard includes one connector for connecting the
front panel switch and LED Indicators.

Hard Disk LED Connector (HDD-LED)

Connect to the chassis front panel IDE indicator LED. It
indicates the active status of the hard disks. This 2-pin
connector is directional with +/- sign.

Reset Switch (RESET-SW)

Attach the connector to the Reset switch on the front
panel of the case; the system will restart when the switch
is pressed.

Power LED Connector (PWR-LED)

Connect to the power LED indicator on the front panel of
the chassis. The Power LED indicates the system’s status.
When the system is in operation (S0 status), the LED is
on. When the system gets into sleep mode (S1) , the LED

is blinking; When the system is in S3/S4 sleep state or
power off mode (S5), the LED is off. This 2-pin connector

is directional with +/- sign.

Power Switch Connector (PWR-SW)

Connect to the power button on the front panel of the
chassis. Push this switch allows the system to be turned
on and off rather than using the power supply button.

Serial ATA Connectors : SATA_1/2/3/4

The Serial ATA connector is used to connect with SATA Hard
Disk or CD devices which support this feature. The current
Serial ATA II interface allows up to 300MB/s data transfer
rate.

COM Connector : COM1/2

This motherboard supports two serial RS232 COM ports for
legacy compatibility. User must purchase another RS232
cable with a 9-pin D-sub connector at one end to connect
with the external RS232 device and another end with 10-pin

female connector to connect with COM1/2 connector in the
motherboard.

IrDA Connector : IR

This header supports infrared wireless transmitting and
receiving device.

RLSD

SOUT

RI

GND

RTS

DSR

DTR

CTS

EMPTY

SIN

1

2

10

9

COM1/2

HDD-LED

RESET-SW

NC

+

-

PWR-SW

+

-

PWR-LED

EMPTY

1

2

10

9

FP1

SATA_1/2/3/4

GND
TX+
TX­GND
RX­RX+

GND

1

IR

1

+5V

EMPTY

IRRX

GND

IRTX

2

15

Audio Connector : F_AUDIO

The audio connector supports HD Audio standard.
It provides the Front Audio output choice.

Audio Connector : CD_IN

CD_IN is a Sony standard audio connector, it can be
connected to a CD/DVD-ROM drive through a CD/DVD
audio cable.

S/PDIF Connector : SPDIF_OUT

The connector is used for S/PDIF output.

USB Connectors : F_USB1/2/3/4

In addition to the four USB ports on the rear panel, this
product also provides four 10-pin USB headers on its
motherboard. By connecting through USB cables with
them, user can quickly expand another eight USB ports
on the front panel.

IDE Connector : PIDE

With the provided Ultra DMA IDE ribbon cable, you
can connect to any IDE type of hard disk and CD/DVD
ROM/RW drive.

Floppy Disk Drive Connector : FLOPPY

This motherboard includes a standard oppy disk drive

(FDD) connector, supporting 360KB, 720KB, 1.2MB,

1.44MB, and 2.88MB FDDs.

PORT1_L

PORT1_R

PORT2_L

SENSE_SEND

SENSE1_RETURN

PRESENCE_J

EMPTY
SENSE2_RETURN

AUD_GND

1 2

109

F_AUDIO

PORT2_R

SPDIF_OUT

+5V

EMPTY

SPDIF_OUT

GND

1

2

3

4

1

CD_IN

CD_L GND CD_R

NC

GND

VCC

D+

D-

D+

GND

D-

VCC

EMPTY

1

2

10

9

F_USB 1/2/3/4

2

16

Chassis Intruder Connector : INTR

The connector can be connected to a security switch
on the chassis. The system can detect the chassis
intrusion through the function of this connector. If
eventually the chassis is closed, the system will send a
message out.

Fan Connectors :CPU_FAN, SYS_FAN

There are two main fan headers on this motherboard.
The fan speed can be controlled and monitored in “PC
Health Status” section of the BIOS Setup. These fans
can be automatically turned off after the system Enters

S3, S4 and S5 sleeping states.

INTR

GND

INTRUDERJ

1

1

SYS_FAN/CPU_FAN

GND
POWER
SENSE
CONTROL

2

17

2-5 Jumpers

For some features needed, users can change the jumper settings on this motherboard to modify them.
This section explains how to use the various functions of this motherboard by changing the jumper
settings. Users should read the following content carefully prior to modifying any jumper setting.

Description of Jumpers

1. For any jumper on this motherboard, pin 1 can be identied by the bold silkscreen next to it.

However, in this manual, pin 1 is simply labeled as “1”.

2. The following table explains different types of the jumper settings. "Closed" means placing a jumper

cap on the two pins to temporarily short them. The shorting can also be done by touching two

pins by a screwdriver for a few seconds, but using jumper cap is recommended. It can prevent

hazardous ESD (Electrical Static Discharge) problem.

Clear CMOS Jumper: CLR_CMOS

The motherboard uses CMOS RAM to store the basic hardware information (such as BIOS data,
date, time information, hardware password...etc.). Clear CMOS data is the fast way to go back to

factory default when the BIOS settings were mistakenly modied.

The steps to clear CMOS data are :

1. Turn off the computer, unplug the power cord from the power outlet.

2. Remove jumper cap from pins 2-3, put it onto pins 1-2 to short them. This will clear CMOS
data.

3. Return the setting to its original with pins 2-3 closed.

4. Plug in the power cord to your computer and turn it on.

5. Go to BIOS Setup to congure new system as described

in next chapter.

Jumper Diagram Denition Description

1-2 Set Pin 1 and Pin 2 closed

2-3 Set Pin 2 and Pin 3 closed

1

1

1

Clear

1

2

3

Normal
(Default)

1

2

3

CLR_CMOS

■ Disconnect the power cable before adjusting the jumper settings.

■ Do not clear the CMOS while the system is turned on.

W

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N

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!

This chapter tells how to change system settings through

the BIOS Setup menus. Detailed descriptions of the BIOS

parameters are also provided.

You have to run the Setup Program when the following cases

occur :

1. An error message appears on the screen during the system

Power-On Self-Test (POST) process.

2. You want to change the default CMOS settings.

This chapter includes the following information :

■ Enter BIOS Setup

■ Main Menu

■ System Information

■ Fox Central Control Unit

■ Advanced BIOS Features

■ Advanced Chipset Features

■ Integrated Peripherals

■ Power Management Setup

■ PC Health Status

■ Load Optimized Defaults

■ Set Supervisor Password

■ Set User Password

■ Save & Exit Setup

■ Exit Without Saving

Since BIOS could be updated some other times, the BIOS information described

in this manual is for reference only. We do not guarantee the content of this

manual will remain consistent with the newly released BIOS at any given time in

the future. Please visit our website for updated manual if it is available.

3

19

Enter BIOS Setup

The BIOS is the communication bridge between hardware and software, correctly setting up the
BIOS parameters is critical to maintain optimal system performance. Power on the computer,
when the message "Press <DEL> to enter Setup, <ESC> to boot menu" appears at the bottom
of the screen, you can press <Del> key to enter Setup.

Main Menu

The main menu allows you to select from a list of setup functions together with two exit choices.

Use the arrow keys to select a specic item and press <Enter> to go to the sub-menu.

Each item in the main menu is explained below:

► System Information

It displays the basic system conguration, such as BIOS version, system date, time and oppy

drive. They all can be set up through this menu.

► Fox Central Control Unit

Some special proprietary features (such as overclocking) can be set up through this menu.

► Advanced BIOS Features

The advanced system features can be set up through this menu.

► Advanced Chipset Features

The values for the chipset can be changed through this menu, and the system performance

can be optimized.

► Integrated Peripherals

All onboard peripherals can be set up through this menu. There are IDE devices, Super I/O

devices such as Serial I/O, Parallel port and other USB ports...etc.

We do not suggest that you change the default values in the BIOS Setup, and we shall
not be responsible for any damage which resulted from the change you made.

C

A

U

T

I

O

N

!

Phoenix - AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility

► System Information ► PC Health Status

► Fox Central Control Unit Load Optimized Defaults

► Advanced BIOS Features Set Supervisor Password

► Advanced Chipset Features

Set User Password

► Integrated Peripherals Save & Exit Setup

► Power Management Setup Exit Without Saving

Esc : Quit ↑↓←→ : Select Item

F10 : Save & Exit Setup

Time, Date, Hard Disk Type...

► System Information

3

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► Power Management Setup

All the items related with Green function features can be set up through this menu.

► PC Health Status

This setup enables you to read/change Fan speeds, and displays temperatures and voltages

of your CPU/System.

► Load Optimized Defaults

The optimal performance settings can be loaded through this menu. However, it may offer

better performance in some ways (such as less I/O cards, less memory ...etc.), still, it may

cause problem if you have more memory or I/O cards installed. It means, if your system

loading is heavy, set to optimal default may sometimes come out an unstable system. What

you need now is to adjust BIOS setting one by one, trial and error, to nd out the best setting

for your current system.

► Set Supervisor Password

The supervisor password can be set up through this menu.

► Set User Password

The user password can be set up through this menu.

► Save & Exit Setup

Save setting values to CMOS and exit.

► Exit Without Saving

Do not change anything and exit the setup.

When we talk about <+> and <-> keys in this manual, they are the single-keypad
keys of the numeric keypad which is located at the right hand side of your desktop
keyboard. They are not the combination keys made by pressing and holding down

<Shift> key rst, then press <+ => or <_-> key the next.

C

A

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T

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O

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!

3

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System Information

This submenu is used to set up the standard BIOS features, such as the date, time, oppy drive

and so on. Use the arrow up/down keys to select an item, then use the <+> or <-> keys to change
the setting.

► Date - <weekday><month><date><year> format

Day—weekday from Sun. to Sat., automatically displayed by BIOS (Read Only).

Month—month from 1 to 12.

Date—date from 1st to 31st.

Year—year, set up by users.

Use <Enter>, <Tab> keys to select a eld. Use <+>, <->, <PageUp> or <PageDown> to select

a value.

► Time - <hour> : <minute> : <second> format

This item allows you to congure the desired time. Use <Enter>, <Tab> to move forward and

select a eld. Directly input a value or use <PageUp>, <PageDown>, <+> or <-> to select a

value.

► IDE Channel Master / Slave

These categories identify the hard disks connected to the PATA port in the system.

In each channel’s display, you can press [Enter] to go to its submenu. You can further

congure specic drive settings. [None] and [Auto] settings allow you to enable or disable this

drive. [None] means no HDD is installed or set, and [Auto] means the system can auto-detect

the hard disk when booting up. In Access Mode setting, selections of [CHS], [LBA], [Large] and

[Auto] can help you to select hard drive for legacy compatibility.

Award (Phoenix) BIOS can support 3 HDD modes: CHS, LBA and Large.

Note: Set to [Auto] , the system can detect the hard disk and select the HDD mode

automatically. Suggest you select this option.

CHS For HDD <528MB

LBA For HDD >528MB & Supporting LBA (Logical Block Addressing)

Large For HDD>528MB but not supporting LBA

Phoenix - AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility

System Information

Date (mm:dd:yy)

Fri, Feb 29 2008 Item Help

Time (hh:mm:ss) 17 : 44 : 13
Menu Level ►

► IDE Channel Master

[ Maxtor 6Y080L0]

► IDE Channel Slave

[ None ] Change the day, month,

► SATA Channel 1 Master

[ None ] year and century

► SATA Channel 2 Msater [ None ]

► SATA Channel 3 Master

[ None ]

► SATA Channel 4 Master

[ None ]

Drive A

[1.44M, 3.5 in.]

Halt On [All , But Keyboard]
Model Name M78MX

BIOS Version D18

Memory 1024M

MAC Address 00 1C 25 3B CC AF
AMD Phenom(tm) 9500 Quad-Core Processor

↑↓→←:Move Enter:Select +/-/PU/PD:Value F10:Save ESC:Exit F1:General Help
F5: Previous Values F7: Optimized Defaults

Feb

3

22

► SATA Channel 1/2/3/4 Master

When SATA Operation Mode is set to [IDE], These items will appear. The relationships

between SATA channels and SATA ports on the motherboard are :

SATA Channel 1 Master is the SATA port 1 of the motherboard.

SATA Channel 2 Master is the SATA port 2.

SATA Channel 3 Master is the SATA port 3.

SATA Channel 4 Master is the SATA port 4.

► Drive A

This option allows you to select which kind of the Floppy Disk Drive is installed in your system.

It can be [None], [360KB, 5.25 in], [1.2MB, 5.25 in], [720KB, 3.5 in], [1.44MB, 3.5 in] and

[2.88 MB, 3.5in].

► Halt On

This category determines whether or not the computer will stop if an error is detected during

powering up.

► Model Name

This item shows the marketing name.

► BIOS Version

This item shows the BIOS version.

► Memory

These are Display-Only information of the system memory, determined by POST(Power-On

Self-Test) of the BIOS.

► MAC Address

This item shows the MAC address.

► CPU Name

This item shows the CPU name installed in your system.

All Errors Whenever the BIOS detects a nonfatal error, the system will stop

and you will be prompted.

No Errors The system boot will not stop for any errors that may be

detected.

All, But Keyboard The system boot will not stop for a keyboard error; but it will stop

for all other errors.

All, But Diskette The system boot will not stop for a diskette error; but it will stop

for all other errors.

All, But Disk/Key The system boot will not stop for a keyboard or disk error, but it

will stop for all other errors.

3

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Fox Central Control Unit

► Smart BIOS / Fox Intelligent Overclock / Memory Timing Setting / Voltage Options

Press [Enter] to get into each submenu.

► AMD K8 Cool&Quiet Control (Appears only when CPU supports)

This option helps lowering down the CPU frequency and voltage when system is idling.

When the CPU speed is slowing down, the temperature will drop as well. This option will be

displayed only if your CPU is supporting this feature.

► AMD Family 10h Down Core (Appears only when CPU supports)

At this moment, AMD family 10 series is equivalent to AM2+, and most CPU in this series are
Quad Cores. This option enables shutting down portions of the circuits in core when not in
load, it is a new feature of AM2+ CPU.
[Auto] : Enable entire cores,
[Single Core] : Enable 1 core,
[Dual Core] : Enable 2 cores,
[Tri Core] : Enable 3 cores,

[Quad Core] : Enable 4 cores.

This option will be displayed only if your CPU is supporting this feature.

► CPU Spread Spectrum

This option is used to enable or disable clock generator spread spectrum.If you enabled this

function, it can signicantly reduce the EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) generated by the

system, so to comply with FCC regulation. But if overclocking is activated, you had better dis­able it.

► PCI Spread Spectrum

This option is used to enable or disable the PCI spread spectrum function.If you enabled this

function, it can signicantly reduce the EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) generated by the

system, so to comply with FCC regulation.

► K8<->NB HT Speed

HT stands for HyperTransport bus. The CPU<->NB HT Speed option controls the physical

speed of the CPU to Northbridge HT link. The settings are [Auto], [200 MHz], [400 MHz], [800

MHz] and [1 GHz].

Phoenix - AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility

Fox Central Control Unit

► Smart BIOS [Press Enter] Item Help

► Fox Intelligent Overclock [Press Enter]
► Memory Timing Setting [Press Enter] Menu Level ►
► Voltage Options [Press Enter]
AMD K8 Cool&Quiet Control [Auto]
AMD Family 10h Down Core [Auto]
CPU Spread Spectrum [Disabled]

PCI Spread Spectrum [Disabled]

K8<->NB HT Speed [Auto]

K8<->NB HT Width [Auto]

Super BIOS Protect [Disabled]

Auto Detect PCI CIK [Enabled]

↑↓→←:Move Enter:Select +/-/PU/PD:Value F10:Save ESC:Exit F1:General Help
F5: Previous Values F7: Optimized Defaults

Press Enter

3

24

► K8<->NB HT Width

The CPU<->NB HT Width controls the CPU to Northbridge link bandwidth, it is highly

recommended to set to [Auto] for overall performance.

► Super BIOS Protect

To protect the system BIOS from virus attack, there is a BIOS write-protection mechanism
provided. Super BIOS Protect function protects your BIOS from being affected by viruses, e.g.

CIH.

► Auto Detect PCI Clk

This option is used to auto detect PCI slots. When enabled, the system will turn off clock of the
empty PCI slot to reduce EMI (Electromagnetic Interference).

Smart BIOS

► Smart Boot Menu

When PC starts, if [Enabled] is selected, a Boot Menu will be automatically displayed to inform

you to select a boot device. If no device is selected, the rst device will be used. If [Disabled] is
selected, then PC will ask you to press [Esc] key to get into Boot Menu. This setting simplies

multiple boot devices user from pressing [Esc] key to enter boot menu.

► Smart Power LED

Smart Power LED is a feature built on your motherboard to indicate different states during
Power-On Self-Test (POST). The LED is located at the front panel, and it displays POST state

by different long-short blinking intervals. You can always leave this state enabled.

Phoenix - AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility

Smart BIOS

Smart Boot Menu

[Disabled] Item Help

Smart Power LED

[Enabled]

Menu Level ►

Smart Boot Menu with a
timer to let user to
control boot device
easily.

↑↓→←:Move Enter:Select +/-/PU/PD:Value F10:Save ESC:Exit F1:General Help
F5: Previous Values F7: Optimized Defaults

Disabled

System Status Power LED Status Stop Blinking Condition

Normal Always On Always On

No Memory Continue blinking On (1sec.), Off (1sec.) Reboot & Memory OK

No Display Continue blinking On (2sec.), Off (2sec.) Reboot & Display OK

Post Error Message

Quick blinking twice (1/3sec. On, 1/3sec. Off),
one long On (1sec.), continuously.

Enter Setup or Skip

No CPU Fan Continue blinking On (1/2sec.), Off (1/2sec.) Reboot & Fan OK

3

25

Fox Intelligent Overclock

► CPU Clock / PCIE Clock

These items allow you to select different CPU clock and PCIE clock.

► NPT FID Control (Appears only when CPU supports)

This is CPU multiplier. It allows you to congure CPU's speed much easier. This option will be

displayed only if your CPU is supporting this feature.

Memory Timing Setting

► Timing Mode

This item allows you to set the memory timing mode. The available options are:

[Auto]: System will detect the timing automatically;

[MaxMemCLK]: The memory timing is limited by the memory clock value set in the next item.

Phoenix - AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility

Fox Intelligent Overclock

CPU Clock [200] Item Help
PCIE Clock [100]
Menu Level ►

↑↓→←:Move Enter:Select +/-/PU/PD:Value F10:Save ESC:Exit F1:General Help
F5: Previous Values F7: Optimized Defaults

200

Phoenix - AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility

Memory Timing Setting

Timing Mode [A uto]

Item Help

x Memory Clock Value Limit DDR 400

SPD Checksum Restart

[Ignore] Menu Level ►

CKE Base Power Down Mode [Disabled]
CKE Base Power Down [Per Channel] Auto, no user limit
Memclock Tri-stating [Disabled] MaxMemCLK, limit by
Memory Hole Remapping [Enabled] memory clock value

Auto Optimize Bottom IO [Enabled]

x Bottom of [31:24] IO Space D0

Bottom of UMA DRAM [31:24] [FC]

Memory Timing Setting

[Disabled]

x TwTr Command Delay 3 Bus Clocks

x Trfc0 for DIMM0 195ns
x Trfc1 for DIMM1 195ns

x [Twr] Write Recovery Time 6 Bus Clocks
x [Trtp] Precharge Time 3 Clocks
x [Trc] Row Cycle Time 26 Bus Clocks
x [Trcd] RAS to CAS R/W Delay 6 Clocks

x [Trrd] RAS to RAS Delay 5 Clocks

↑↓→←:Move Enter:Select +/-/PU/PD:Value F10:Save ESC:Exit F1:General Help
F5: Previous Values F7: Optimized Defaults

Auto

3

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► Memory Clock Value Limit

This item allows you to set the system memory's clock value.

► SPD Checksum Restart

The Serial Presence Detect (SPD) device is a small EEPROM chip, mounted on a DDR

memory module. This item allows you to check if the memory fails when booting. Select

[Ignore], the system will not check memory module. Select [Exit], system will check, report

error if there is any, then stop booting.

► CKE Base Power Down Mode

This item allows you to enable or disable the CKE base power down mode.

► CKE Base Power Down

CKE power down mode selection.

► Memclock Tri-stating

Enables the DDR memory clocks to be tristated when alternate VID mode is enabled.

► Memory Hole Remapping

This item is used to enable/disable memory remapping around memory hole. PCI doesn't actu-

ally care much which addresses are used, but by convention the PC platform puts them at the

top of the 32-bit address space. For many years it wasn't possible or practical to put that much

RAM into a PC. But now it is, so it's up to the memory controller and host bridge to gure out

what to do. Many systems cause that high RAM to simply be ignored, resulting in the loss of

effective RAM. More complex systems will take the RAM that would occupy that 3.5-4GB

address space and re-map it into the 4.0-4.5 address space. The RAM doesn't care because

it's just an array of storage cells, it's up to the memory controller to associate addresses

with those storage cells. Of course, that only works if you're using a 64-bit (or 32-bit physical

address extension (PAE) enabled) OS that can deal with physical addresses larger than 32

bits.

Once this option is enabled, the BIOS can see 4096MB of memory.

► Auto Optimize Bottom IO

Auto optimize maximum DRAM size when kernel assigns PCI resources done.

► Bottom of [31:24] IO Space

Select bottom of [31:24] IO space manually when "Auto Optimize Bottom IO" option is

disabled.

► Bottom of UMA DRAM [31:24]

This is a memory allocation method addition to the Unied Memory Architecture (UMA)

concept. Normally, select the default value.

► Memory Timing Setting

Select [Enabled], you can congure the DRAM timing manually.

Select [Disabled], then system will use the DRAM timing provided by the memory vendor.

The provision of DRAM timing is done by a SPD device. The Serial Presence Detect (SPD)

device is a small EEPROM chip, mounted on a DDR2 memory module. It contains important

information about the module's speed, size, addressing mode and various other parameters,

so that the motherboard memory controller (chipset) can better access the memory device.

The following 8 settings are valid only when the DRAM Timing Setting is set to [Enabled].

► TwTr Command Delay

This item allows you to select a delay time (in clock cycles) between sending the last

data from a write operation to the memory and issuing a read command.

► Trfc0/1 for DIMM0/1

3

27

Refresh to Refresh or Refresh to Active command interval.

Trfc1: auto-refresh row cycle time for logical DIMM 1

Trfc0: auto-refresh row cycle time for logical DIMM 0

► [Twr] Write Recovery Time

This item allows you to select the write recovery time (in clock cycles).

► [Trtp] Precharge Time

Internal READ Command to PRECHARGE Command delay.

► [Trc] Row Cycle Time

This item allows you to set the row cycle time (in clock cycles).

► [Trcd] RAS to CAS R/W Delay

This item allows you to select a delay time (in clock cycles) between the CAS# and RAS#

strobe signals.

► [Trrd] RAS to RAS Delay

This item allows you to select a delay time (in clock cycles) between the RAS# and RAS#

strobe signals.

► [Trp] Row Precharge Time

This item allows you to select the row precharge time (in clock cycles).

► [Tras] RAS Active Time

This item allows you to set the minimum RAS active time (in clock cycles).

Voltage Options

► CPU Voltage

This option is used to change the CPU voltage.

► Memory Voltage

This option is used to change the memory voltage.

Phoenix - AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility

Voltage Options

CPU Voltage

[Default] Item Help

Memory Voltage

[Default]

Menu Level ►

.

↑↓→←:Move Enter:Select +/-/PU/PD:Value F10:Save ESC:Exit F1:General Help
F5: Previous Values F7: Optimized Defaults

Default

3

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Advanced BIOS Features

► Removable Device Priority

This option is used to select the priority for removable device.

► Hard Disk Boot Priority

This option is used to select the priority for HDD startup. After pressing <Enter>, you can

select the HDD using the Up/Down arrow keys, and change the HDD priority using <PageUp>/

<PageDown>; you can exit this menu by pressing <Esc>.

► CD-ROM Boot Priority

This option is used to select the priority for CD-ROM startup.

► First / Second / Third Boot Device

These three options allow you to select the priority of boot sequence from different devices.

► Boot Other Device

With this function set to enable, the system will boot from some other devices provided that the

rst/second/third boot devices failed.

► Boot Up Floppy Seek

This item controls whether the BIOS will check for a oppy drive while booting up. If it cannot

detect one (either due to improper conguration or physical unavailability), it will appear an

error message. Disabling this function, then POST will not detect the oppy.

► Boot Up NumLock Status

This item denes if the keyboard Num Lock key is active when your system is started. The

available settings are: On (default) and Off.

► Security Option

When it is set to “Setup”, a password is required to enter the CMOS Setup screen. When it

is set to “System”, a password is required not only to enter CMOS Setup, but also to start up

your PC.

► Full Screen Logo Show

This item allows you to enable or disable full screen customer's logo.

Phoenix - AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility

Advanced BIOS Features

► Removable Device Priority

[Press Enter] Item Help

► Hard Disk Boot Priority

[Press Enter]

► CD-ROM Boot Priority

[Press Enter] Menu Level ►

First Boot Device [Hard Disk]

Select removable boot

Second Boot Device

[CDROM] device priority

Third Boot Device

[Removable]

Boot Other Device

[Enabled]

Boot Up Floppy Seek

[Disabled]

Boot Up NumLock Status

[on]

Security Option

[Setup]

Full Screen Logo Show

[Enabled]

↑↓→←:Move Enter:Select +/-/PU/PD:Value F10:Save ESC:Exit F1:General Help
F5: Previous Values F7: Optimized Defaults

Press Enter

3

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Advanced Chipset Features

► Hybrid Support

Hybrid SLI Support is based on NVIDIA’s industry-leading SLI technology, delivers multi-GPU

benets when an NVIDIA® motherboard GPU is combined with an NVIDIA discrete GPU.

Hybrid SLI increases graphics performance with GeForce ®Boost and provides intelligent
power management with Hybrid Power™. When the display card supports Hybrid SLI
technology and the system memory size is 2GB or above, this option is supported. You can

select [Auto] to let the system control, or select [Manual] to congure the Frame Buffer Size

manually.

You can ignore this setting if this option is not supported due to memory size is small or CPU is
not AM2+ or display card does not support Hybrid SLI technology.

► Display Detection

When Hybrid SLI feature is turned on, it means you already have two graphics GPUs installed.
You must decide which one is the primary adapter, and this option will automatically select the
one with display monitor attached as the primary graphics adapter.
If both two graphics ports are connected to monitors, then you must use one more option "Init
Display First" to select.
If none of the monitor is connected, then the "Init Display First" setting defines which one is the
primary.

► iGPU Frame Buffer Control

This item is used to control the "Frame Buffer Size" setting. Select [Auto], BIOS will
automatically reserve some of the system memory as video memory. Select [Manual], you can

set the size of video memory manually.

► Frame Buffer Size

Allocates system memory for use as video memory to ensure the most efcient use of

available resources for maximum 2D/3D graphics performance.

This is a memory allocation method addition to the Unied Memory Architecture (UMA)

concept, wherein a static amount of page-locked graphics memory is allocated during driver

initialization. This xed amount of memory will provide the user with a guaranteed graphics

memory at all times, and will no longer be available to the OS.

► OnBoard GPU

This item is used to set whether to enable the onboard GPU (Graphic Processor Unit) in

Phoenix - AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility

Advanced Chipset Features

x Hybrid SLI Disabled Item Help
x Display Detection Enabled
iGPU Frame Buffer Control [Auto] Menu Level ►
x Frame Buffer Size 128M

OnBoard GPU

[Enable If NO Ext GPU]

MCP78 PCIE Training

[Gen2 If Supported]

Init Display First

[PCIEx]

↑↓→←:Move Enter:Select +/-/PU/PD:Value F10:Save ESC:Exit F1:General Help
F5: Previous Values F7: Optimized Defaults

Auto

3

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the North Bridge. [Enable If No Ext GPU] means if there is no external graphics card on the
motherboard, the onboard GPU will be enabled. [Always Enable] means the onboard GPU is

always enabled.

► MCP78 PCIE Training

[Gen2 If Supported] sets the PCI Express slot working by following Generation II specication.

[Only Gen1] sets the PCI Express slot working by following Generation I specication.

► Init Display First

Select PCI-Express graphics card as the default rst display device.

Integrated Peripherals

► OnChip IDE Devices / MCP SATA Mode / OnBoard Devices / SuperIO Devices / USB

Devices

Press <Enter> to go to relative submenu.

Phoenix - AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility

Integrated Peripherals

► OnChip IDE Devices [Press Enter] Item Help
► MCP SATA Mode [Press Enter]
► OnBoard Devices

[Press Enter] Menu Level ►

► SuperIO Devices

[Press Enter]

► USB Devices

[Press Enter]

↑↓→←:Move Enter:Select +/-/PU/PD:Value F10:Save ESC:Exit F1:General Help
F5: Previous Values F7: Optimized Defaults

Press Enter

3

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OnChip IDE Devices

► OnChip IDE Channel

This option is used to enable/disable function of IDE drives connected to the PATA interface.

► IDE DMA Transfer Access

[Disabled] : to disable DMA transfers for all IDE drives. They will revert to PIO mode transfers.

[Enabled] : to enable DMA transfers for all IDE drives. The proper DMA mode will be detected

at boot-up. If the drive does not support DMA transfers, then it will use PIO mode instead.

Recommend leaving this BIOS feature at the default [Enabled] setting.

► SATA Controller

This option is used to enable/disable function of SATA drives connected to the SATA ports.

MCP SATA Mode

► SATA Operation Mode

This item is used to set the operating mode of your SATA ports. The available options are:

Phoenix - AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility

MCP SATA Mode

SATA Operation Mode [IDE] Item Help

x SATA Pri-Master RAID Disabled
x

SATA Pri-Slave RAID Disabled Menu Level ►

x

SATA Sec-Master RAID Disabled

x

SATA Sec-Slave RAID Disabled

↑↓→←:Move Enter:Select +/-/PU/PD:Value F10:Save ESC:Exit F1:General Help
F5: Previous Values F7: Optimized Defaults

IDE

Phoenix - AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility

OnChip IDE Devices

OnChip IDE Channel [Enabled] Item Help

IDE DMA Transfer Access [Enabled]

SATA Controller

[Enabled] Menu Level ►

↑↓→←:Move Enter:Select +/-/PU/PD:Value F10:Save ESC:Exit F1:General Help
F5: Previous Values F7: Optimized Defaults

Enabled

3

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[IDE] - This congures the SATA ports to support legacy PATA mode or SATA mode.

[AHCI] - The Advanced Host Controller Interface (AHCI) specication describes the register

level interface for a Host Controller for Serial ATA. The specication includes a description of

the hardware/software interface between system software and the host controller hardware.

AHCI provides more advanced features including SATA features, but some SATA drives may

not support AHCI, unless they are labeled with AHCI support in its specication.

If your motherboard supporting AHCI, and you have a SATA device, which also supports AHCI,

then you can select IDE option to have fair performance (only PATA, SATA level), or you can

select AHCI to get its best performance.

[Linux AHCI] - For advanced Linux system if it supports AHCI, then you can select this optiion.

[RAID] - When you enable RAID, it means all your SATA drives must also support AHCI.

► SATA Pri-Master RAID / SATA Pri-Slave RAID / SATA Sec-Master RAID / SATA Sec-Slave

RAID

These items are valid only when "SATA Operation Mode" is set to RAID. They are used to

enable or disable the RAID function of each SATA port on the motherboard.

The relationships between RAID settings and SATA ports on the motherboard are :

SATA Pri-Master RAID is the SATA port 1 of the motherboard.

SATA Pri-Slave RAID is the SATA port 2.

SATA Sec-Master RAID is the SATA port 3.

SATA Sec-Slave RAID is the SATA port 4.

The Installation procedures for AHCI and RAID drivers are the same, they are :

■ Creating a bootable drive (or RAID array).

■ Creating a non-bootable drive (or RAID array).

In Chapter 5, only RAID is introduced. AHCI installation is almost the same, the only

difference is BIOS SATA Operation Mode is set to [AHCI] instead of [RAID].

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With your motherboard and SATA hard disk both supporting AHCI, you had better set

this BIOS setting to AHCI, then install your Operating System (such as Windows XP).

Later, if you ever change this BIOS setting to IDE, OS still can run.

But if you at the rst time set this setting to IDE, then install the Operating System.

Later, if you change this BIOS setting to AHCI, this operating system can not run.

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OnBoard Devices

► OnBoard Audio Controller

This item is used to select the operation of your audio controller. You can select [Auto] for high

dention audio. Select [Disabled] will turn off audio function.

► OnBoard LAN Controller

This item is used to enable or disable the onboard LAN controller.

► OnBoard LAN Boot ROM

This item is used to enable or disable the onboard LAN boot optional ROM. A LAN boot ROM

lets you set up a diskless workstation on the network. By installing a boot ROM in the network

board, you can enable a client PC system on the network to be booted remotely.

Phoenix - AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility

OnBoard Devices

OnBoard Audio Controller

[ ] Item Help

OnBoard LAN Controller

[Auto]

OnBoard LAN Boot ROM

[Disabled] Menu Level ►

↑↓→←:Move Enter:Select +/-/PU/PD:Value F10:Save ESC:Exit F1:General Help
F5: Previous Values F7: Optimized Defaults

Enabled

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SuperIO Devices

► OnBoard FDC Controller

This item is used to enable or disable the onboard FDC controller.

► OnBoard Serial Port 1

This item is used to assign the I/O address and interrupt request (IRQ) for the onboard serial

port COM1.

► OnBoard Serial Port 2

This item is used to assign the I/O address and interrupt request (IRQ) for the onboard serial

port COM2.

► Serial Port 2 Mode Select

This item is used to congure COM2 PORT as :

[Normal] : A RS232 device.

[IrDA] : An IrDA device for maximum 115200 bit/s.

[ASKIR] : A faster IrDA for 1152000 bit/s.

► IrDA Duplex Mode

This item enables you to determine the transfer mode of the onboard infrared chip.

► OnBoard Parallel Port

This item is used to assign the I/O address and interrupt request (IRQ) for the onboard parallel

port .

► Parallel Port Mode

This item is used to set parallel port mode.

Phoenix - AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility

SuperIO Devices

OnBoard FDC Controller

[Enabled] Item Help

OnBoard Serial Port 1

[3F8/IRQ4]

OnBoard Serial Port 2

[2F8/IRQ3] Menu Level ►

Serial Port 2 Mode Select [Normal]

x IrDA Duplex Mode Half

OnBoard Parallel Port [378/IRQ7]

Parallel Port Mode

[SPP]

↑↓→←:Move Enter:Select +/-/PU/PD:Value F10:Save ESC:Exit F1:General Help
F5: Previous Values F7: Optimized Defaults

Enabled

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USB Devices

► USB 1.1 Controller

This item is used to enable or disable the Universal Host Controller Interface for USB.

► USB 2.0 Controller

This item is used to enable or disable the Enhanced Host Controller Interface for USB.

► USB Operation Mode

This item is used to set the USB operation mode. If you select the [High Speed], then the USB

operation mode is determined by the USB device; select [Full/Low Speed], the USB device

operates on full/low speed.

► USB Keyboard Support

This item is used to enable the support for USB keyboard on legacy OS. If you have a USB

keyboard, set to enabled.

► USB Mouse Support

This item is used to enable the support for USB mouse on legacy OS. If you have a USB

mouse, set to enabled.

► USB Storage Support

This option is used to set whether the USB Mass Storage controller is enabled in a legacy

operating system (such as DOS).

► ***USB Mass Storage Device Boot Setting***

BIOS auto detects the presence of USB Mass Storage Devices, you can congure the boot

setting mode for the detected USB device. Setting Options: [Auto]; [FDD Mode]; [HDD Mode].

Phoenix - AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility

USB Devices

USB 1.1 Controller

[ ] Item Help
USB 2.0 Controller [Enabled]

USB Operation Mode

[High Speed] Menu Level ►

USB Keyboard Support

[Enabled]

USB Mouse Support [Enabled] [Enable] or [Disable]
USB Storage Support [Enabled] universal host

controller interface
*** USB Mass Storage Device Boot Setting *** for universal serial bus

↑↓→←:Move Enter:Select +/-/PU/PD:Value F10:Save ESC:Exit F1:General Help
F5: Previous Values F7: Optimized Defaults

Enabled

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Power Management Setup

ACPI (Advanced Conguration and Power Interface) is an open industry standard that denes

power and conguration management interfaces between an operating system and the BIOS.

In other words, it is a standard that describes how computer components work together

to manage system hardware. In order to use this function the ACPI specication must be

supported by the OS (for example, Windows2000 or WindowsXP).

ACPI denes ve sleeping states, they are :

S1 - The S1 sleeping state is a low wake latency sleeping state. In this state, no system

context is lost (CPU or chip set) and hardware maintains all system context. (also called

Power On Suspend)

S2 - The S2 sleeping state is a low wake latency sleeping state. This state is similar to

the S1 sleeping state except that the CPU and system cache context is lost (the OS

is responsible for maintaining the caches and CPU context). Control starts from the

processor’s reset vector after the wake event.

S3 - The S3 sleeping state is a low wake latency sleeping state where all system context is lost

except system memory. CPU, cache, and chip set context are lost in this state. Hardware

maintains memory context and restores some CPU and L2 conguration context. Control

starts from the processor’s reset vector after the wake event. (also called Suspend to

RAM)

S4 - The S4 sleeping state is the lowest power, longest wake latency sleeping state supported

by ACPI. In order to reduce power to a minimum, it is assumed that the hardware platform

has powered off all devices. Platform context is maintained. (also called Suspend to

Disk)

S5 - The S5 state is similar to the S4 state except that the OS does not save any context. The

system is in the “soft” off state and requires a complete boot when it wakes. Software

uses a different state value to distinguish between the S5 state and the S4 state to allow

for initial boot operations within the BIOS to distinguish whether or not the boot is going to

wake from a saved memory image.

Phoenix - AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility

Power Management Setup

ACPI Function

[Enabled] Item Help

ACPI Suspend Type

[S3(STR)]

Power Button [Instant-Off]

Menu Level ►

PWRON After PWR-Fail [Off]

HPET Support [Enabled]

** Power Management Events **

Wake Up by PCI/PCIE PME

[Disabled]

USB Resume from S3

[Disabled]

Resume by Alarm

[Disabled]

x Date of Month Alarm 0
x Time (hh:mm:ss) Alarm 0

: 0 : 0

PS/2 Mouse Resume from S3 [Disabled]

PS/2 KB Resume from S3 [Disabled]

x KB Resume Password Enter
x Hot Key Resume Ctrl-F1

↑↓→←:Move Enter:Select +/-/PU/PD:Value F10:Save ESC:Exit F1:General Help
F5: Previous Values F7: Optimized Defaults

Enabled

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► ACPI Function

This item is used to enable or disable the ACPI function.

► ACPI Suspend Type

This item is used to set the energy saving mode of the ACPI function. When you select “S1
(POS)” mode, the power is always on and computer can be resumed at any time. When
you select “S3 (STR)” mode, the power will be down after a period of time. The status of the
computer before it entering STR will be saved in memory, and the computer can quickly return

to previous state when the STR function wakes.

► Power Button

This item is used to set the power down method. This function is only valid for systems using

an ATX power supply. When set to [Delay 4 Sec.], the power button will put the system in
Suspend mode if you push the power button in less than 4 Second then release. If set to

[Instant-Off], the PC powers off immediately when the power button is pressed.

► PWRON After PWR-Fail

This item is used to set which state the PC will take with when it resumes after an AC power

loss.

► HPET Support

HPET stands for High Precision Even Timer. If you have the HPET disabled, then windows
does not have access to it and therefore falls back to less accurate timing methods. This item

is used to enable or disable the HPET Support.

** Power Management Events **
► Wake Up by PCI/PCIE PME

This item is used to set the system to be waken up by PCI/PCIE card.

► USB Resume from S3

This item is used to set the system to be waken up by USB keyboard or mouse when it is

staying at S3 (Suspend to RAM) state.

► Resume by Alarm

This item is used to set the timing of the start-up function. In order to use this function, the

start-up password function must be disabled. Also the PC power source must not be turned off.

► Date of Month Alarm

When "Resume by Alarm" is set to “Enabled”, this item can be modied. It is used to set the

timing for the start-up date.

► Time (hh:mm:ss) Alarm

When "Resume by Alarm" is set to “Enabled”, this item can be modied. It is used to set the

timing for the start-up time.

► PS/2 Mouse Resume from S3

When enabled, it allows you to use the PS/2 mouse to wake up the system from S3 mode.

This feature requires an ATX power supply.

► PS/2 KB Resume from S3

This item allows you to use the PS/2 keyboard to wake up the system from S3 mode. This
feature requires an ATX power supply. The setting values: [Disabled]; [Password]; [Hot KEY];

[Any KEY], and [Keyboard 98].

► KB Resume Password

When "PS/2 KB Resume from S3" is set to [Password], this item allows you to input a

password to wake up the system from S3 mode.

► Hot Key Resume

When "PS/2 KB Resume from S3" is set to [Hot KEY], this item allows you to press a [Ctrl] +

Function key to wake up the system from S3 mode.

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PC Health Status

► Case Open Warning

This item is used to enalbe or disable case open warning function.

► Shutdown Temperature

This item is used to set the system temperature upper limit. When the temperature exceeds

the set value, the system will shut down automatically.

► CPU Vcore/VTT(V)/+ 3.3V/+5V/+12V/5VSB(V)/Voltage of Battery

The current voltages are automatically detected and displayed by the system.

► CPU/System Temperature

The CPU/System temperature are automatically detected and displayed by the system.

► CPU Fan/System Fan Speed

The CPU fan/System fan speed are automatically detected and displayed by the system.

► Smart Fan Control

This option is used to enable or disable smart fan function. Only when this option is enabled,
you can set some correlative parameters.

► Start PWM Temperature

It allows you set a temperature value from which smart fan starts its operation.

► Start PWM Value

It allows you to set an initial PWM value to drive the fan when the temperature reaches Start
PWM value and smart fan begins its operation. The higher PWM value can achieve the faster

fan speed.

► Slope PWM Value

When temperature changes one degree celsius, the PWM will be increased or decreased
by a step value accordingly.

Phoenix - AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility

PC Health Status

Case Open Warning

[Disabled] Item Help

Shutdown Temperature

[Disabled]

CPU Vcore 1.28 V Menu Level ►
VTT(V) 1.89 V
+3.3V 3.31 V
+ 5V 5.25 V
+ 12V 11.50 V
5VSB(V) 5.12V

Voltage of Battery 3.38V

CPU Temperature 38oC
System Temperature 38oC
CPU Fan Speed 4272 RPM
System Fan Speed 0 RPM

Smart Fan Control [Disabled]

x Start

PWM Temperature 35

x Start PWM Value 64
x Slope PWM Value 2

↑↓→←:Move Enter:Select +/-/PU/PD:Value F10:Save ESC:Exit F1:General Help
F5: Previous Values F7: Optimized Defaults

Disabled

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Load Optimized Defaults

Select this option and press <Enter>. A dialogue pops out, input
<Y> then press <Enter> to load the defaults; press <N> to skip.
By this default, BIOS have set the optimized performance
parameters of system to improve the performances of system
components. But if the optimized performance parameters to be set cannot be supported by your
hardware devices, the system may fail to work. It may happen on when you installed too many
add-on cards on your system, or overloaded the hardware until it can not afford.

Set Supervisor Password

The access rights and permissions associated with the Supervisor password are higher than those
of a regular User password. The Supervisor password can be used to start the system or modify
the CMOS settings, while User password can only be used to start the system, view the CMOS
settings, but modify CMOS settings is not allowable.

When you select the Set Supervisor/User Password option, the
Enter Password message will appear :

The supervisor password can be set up through this menu.
Key in a password, not exceeding 8 characters, save the
change and exit. The next time, when you enter the BIOS,

it will ask you to input this password to conrm your access right. After you get the right to

access the BIOS, you then can select this setting again, and press <Enter> to disable this
function or input a new password to replace the original one.

If you select “System” for the Security Option in “Advanced BIOS Features” menu, then you will
be asked to enter a password when the system is started or when you try to enter the CMOS
setting program. If an incorrect password is entered, it will hold there.
If you select “Setup” for the Security Option in “Advanced BIOS Features” menu, you will be
asked to enter a password only when you enter the CMOS setting program.

Set User Password

The user password can be set up through this menu. Only when there exists a Supervisor

password, then this setting can be activated.

Save & Exit Setup

When you select this option and press <Enter>,
Press<Y> to save your changes to CMOS and exit the program;
Press <N> or <ESC> to return to the main menu.

Exit Without Saving

If you select this option and press <Enter>,

Press <Y> to exit CMOS without saving your modications;

Press <N> or <ESC> to return to the main menu.

Load Optimized Defaults (Y/N)? N

SAVE to CMOS and EXIT (Y/N)? Y

Quit Without Saving (Y/N)? N

Enter Password:

PASSWORD DISABLED !!!
Press any key to continue...

The utility CD that came with the motherboard contains useful software

and several utility drivers that enhance the motherboard features.

This chapter includes the following information:

■ Utility CD content

■ Install driver and utility

■ FOX ONE

■ FOX LiveUpdate

■ FOX LOGO

■ FOX DMI

Note : Because each module is independent, so the section number

will be reorganized and unique to each module, please understand.

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Utility CD content

This motherboard comes with one DVD. You can simply put it into your DVD-ROM drive, and the
main menu will be displayed on your PC screen to guide you how to install.

1. Install Driver

Use these options to install all the drivers for your system. You should install the drivers in order,

and you need to restart your computer after all the drivers have been installed.

A. NVIDIA MCP78 Chipset Driver

B. Realtek HDA Audio Driver

C. Realtek LAN Driver

2. Software Utilities

Use these options to install additional software programs. FOX ONE is a very powerful user

interface program which allows you to change your system setting without going to BIOS. Some

auto features help user to improve (or overclock) your system without being a computer literate.

A. FOX ONE

B. FOX LiveUpdate

C. FOX LOGO

D. FOX DMI

E. Microsoft DirectX 9.0

F. Adobe Acrobat Reader

G. Norton Internet Security

H. Create RAID Driver Floppy

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Install driver and utility

1. Install Driver

You must click "NVIDIA MCP78 Chipset Driver" to install it rst. After that, you can click ”One

Click Setup” to install all the other drivers left, or you can click on each individual driver to install it
manually.

2. Install Utility

You can select the specic utility to install.

Manual
Installation Step
by Step

Automatic
Installation by
One Click.

Select to

Install Utilities

Select to

Install Drivers

Click to visit

Foxconn's

website

Browse CD

Exit the program

Drop to System Tray

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FOX ONE

FOX ONE is a powerful utility for easily modifying system settings. It also allows users

to monitor various temperature values, voltage values, frequencies and fan speeds at

any time.

With FOX ONE, you can :

■ Modify system performance settings, such as the CPU and memory bus speeds,

CPU voltages, fan speeds, and other system performance options.

■ Monitor hardware temperatures, voltages, frequencies and fan speeds.

Supporting Operating Systems :

■ Windows 2000 ■ Windows XP (32-bit and 64-bit)

■ Windows 2003 (32-bit and 64-bit) ■ Windows Vista (32-bit and 64-bit)

Using FOX ONE :

The very rst time you run FOX ONE, F.I.S. Calibration function (FOX Intelligent

Stepping) will require you to calibrate the CPU’s loading. Click “OK” to proceed

and start the Utility. F.I.S. is a feature of FOX ONE, which can automatically adjust your

CPU clock based on your current system loading.

Before you running the FOX ONE program, the system parameters (such as CPU

clock, voltage...etc.) are controlled by BIOS settings. After you run FOX ONE, it will

take over, and the controlling right will be transferred to FOX ONE. Later, if you exit

FOX ONE, then BIOS control will be back again.

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Depending on hardware support, voltage monitoring and Fox Intelligent Stepping
features are optional and only supported in some models. If the option is selectable, it
also means the feature is supported.

■ Voltage Monitoring is supported only in FOX ONE Premium & Deluxe products.

■ Fox Intelligent Stepping is supported only in FOX ONE Deluxe products.

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1. Main Page

Toolbar

Use the toolbar to navigate to other pages.

Alert Lamp

When the system is in healthy state, the color of alert lamp is green. When the system

is in abnormal state, the alert lamp color is red.

Switch Button

Click this button, it will simplify the whole FOX ONE control panel to a smaller

information bar (i.e. Simple Mode) as depicted below, you can drag this bar to any

place on your screen to help you monitoring system status.

Click here to go back to

FOX ONE full screen

Click here will drop the FOX ONE to Windows system tray

Exit FOX ONE

Show CPU

Information

Toolbar

Alert Lamp

Switch Button

Exit

Minimum

Homepage

Monitor Frequency/Voltage/Fan

speed/Temperature value

Conguration

Skin Button

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Skin Button

There are more choices of FOX ONE screen panels. Click this button, you can select

your favorite skin (FOX ONE Panel).

Exit

Click this button to exit the program.

Minimum

Click this button to drop the FOX ONE to Windows system tray located at the lower

right corner of your screen.

Homepage

Click this button to visit Foxconn motherboard website :

http://www.foxconnchannel.com

Apply the changes

Click the new skin

picture to select

the new skin

Cancel the changes

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Conguration

This menu allows you to congure :

1). Monitor interval (ms) :

This is to dene the interval of different messages of system settings which are to

be displayed on Simple Mode screen. Minimum value is 1 second.

2). Simple Mode :

To select which message of system settings are to be displayed in the Simple

Mode. Messages such as CPU frequency, voltage...etc., they can be displayed one

by one in Simple Mode.

3). F.I.S. Calibration (FOX Intelligent Stepping, Optional)

This function will re-calibrate the CPU's loading, and it may take several minutes

to proceed. The FOX ONE calibration process will apply different loadings to

your CPU, record PWM IC voltage together with the CPU clock running at these

loadings, so it can dene and estimate within a particular range of system loading,

what the CPU clock should be.

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Step 1 : Click Calibration icon, a message pops out to ask for continue. Select Yes.

Step 2 : After data is collected, it will ask you to restart your computer now.

Later on, when the FOX ONE program is activated, and F.I.S. feature (in CPU

Page) is also enabled, FOX ONE will automatically adjust your CPU clock

according to your system loadings. (Loadings are like Power Gaming, Data

Mining...etc.)

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2. CPU Page - CPU Control

This page lets you select (or overclock) CPU clock to meet the current performance

level of the system. The fastest and suitable CPU clock running for current system can

be calculated by FOX ONE automatically or manually input by yourselves.

Manual :

You can press the up/down button to adjust your CPU clock.

Auto :

Click this button to let FOX ONE check the highest CPU clock you can use. System

will raise the CPU clock step by step until it hangs, you can then push the RESET

button on your PC panel to restart the system. When system restarts, run FOX ONE

again, it will display a recommended highest CPU clock for you, click <Yes> to apply it.

A message informs you to

push RESET button later if

the system hangs nally.

Click Yes to continue.

Press Auto button to let FOX

ONE check the highest CPU

clock you can use.

Go to CPU page

FIS Features :

Select the different

benchmarks

Adjust by manual

Apply the

changes

Reset the

changes

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You can see the system is

raising CPU clock until the

system hangs.

Push RESET button on the

front panel of your system to

restart the computer.

Run FOX ONE program

again, it will inform you

the previous test found

that 255MHz is the

recommended CPU clock for

your system.

Click Yes to apply it to your

system.

Now, your system is running

at a CPU clock of 255MHz.

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FOX Intelligent Stepping (F.I.S., Optional)

Select FOX Intelligent Stepping will allow your system to automatically adjust your

CPU clock rate based on different system loadings. For example, if you select Power

Gaming, CPU clock will be driven to run at its maximum speed. While in Energy

Saving, CPU will lower down its speed to a minimum. The four benchmarks - Power

Gaming, Data Mining, Ofce and Energy Saving, the references of their system

loading were calculated and dened in the FIS Calibration option of Conguration

menu. Select Auto, CPU will automatically adjust its clock according to current system

loading.

3. Frequency Page - Frequency Control

This page lets you set memory and PCI Express frequencies by manual.

Go to Freq. page

Close this page

Reset the changes

Apply the changes

Select the option

you want to set

Adjust by manual

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4. Limit Setting

4.1 Limit Setting - CPU Temperature

This page lets you to set CPU high limit temperature and enable the alert function.

4.2 Limit Setting - System Temperature

This page lets you to set system high limit temperature and enable the alert function.

Go to Limit Setting

page

Set high limit by

dragging the lever

Show current CPU

temperature value

Enable alert function

when the CPU

temperature is higher

than high limit value

Show current high

limit value of the CPU

temperature

Set high limit by

dragging the lever

Show current system

temperature value

Enable alert function

when the system

temperature is higher

than high limit value

Show current high

limit value of system

temperature

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4.3 Limit Setting - CPU Fan

This page lets you to set CPU fan low limit rpm and enable the alert function.

4.4 Limit Setting - System Fan

This page lets you to set system fan low limit rpm and enable the alert function.

Set low limit rpm by

dragging the lever

Show current CPU

fan rpm value

Enable alert function

when the CPU fan runs

slower than the low

limit rpm value

Show current low limit

rpm value of CPU fan

Set low limit rpm by

dragging the lever

Show current system

fan rpm value

Enable alert function

when the system fan

runs slower than low

limit rpm value

Show current low limit

rpm value of system

fan

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4.5 Limit Setting - FAN1 Fan

This page lets you to set FAN1 fan low limit rpm and enable the alert function.

5. Voltage Page - Voltage Control (Optional)

This page lets you set CPU voltage, memory voltage and North Bridge voltage

manually. CPU voltage can be stepped up/down by a unit of 12.5mV, while memory is

0.05V/step, and North Bridge is 0.04V/step.

Set low limit rpm by

dragging the lever

Show current FAN1

fan rpm value

Enable alert function

when the FAN1 fan

runs slower than low

limit rpm value

Show current low limit

rpm value of FAN1 fan

Go to Voltage page

Select the option

you want to set

Adjust by manual

Reset the changes

Apply the changes

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6. Fan Page - Fan Control

This page lets you enable Smart Fan function or set the fan speed by manual.

When Smart Fan is selected, you must use a 4-pin CPU cooler in your system.

Go to Fan page

Set fan speed by

dragging the lever

Enable or disable

smart fan function

Apply the changes

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FOX LiveUpdate

FOX LiveUpdate is a useful utility to backup and update your system BIOS, drivers and utilities by

local or online.

Supporting Operating Systems :

■ Windows 2000

■ Windows XP (32-bit and 64-bit)

■ Windows 2003 (32-bit and 64-bit)

■ Windows Vista (32-bit and 64-bit)

Using FOX LiveUpdate :

1. Local Update

1-1 Local Update - BIOS Information

This page lets you know your system BIOS information.

*** : please refer to the physical motherboard for detail.

Exit

Toolbar

Minimum

Show current

BIOS information

Link to website

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1-2 Local Update - Backup

This page can backup your system BIOS. You can click “Backup”, and key in a le name, then

click “Save” to nish the backup operation. The extension of this backup le is ".BIN" for Award

BIOS and ".ROM" for AMI BIOS. Default directory is "C:\Desktop\My Documents" in Windows XP

and "Documents" in Vista. Make sure you can remember the le name together with the directory

which it is stored, prevented that you may need them to recover your BIOS later.

1-3 Local Update - Update

This page helps you to update your BIOS from a local le. After click “Update”, An alert message

will be displayed to ensure if you really want to continue, click “Yes” to conrm. A setup wizard

will guide you to load a local BIOS le to nish the operation. You must remember from which

directory to load your new BIOS le (with an extension of ".BIN" for Award BIOS, ".ROM" for AMI

BIOS) before the setup wizard starts.

Key in a BIOS name

Click here

FOX LiveUpdate can automatically backup old BIOS before update. This feature can be

enabled in the "Congure-System" setup. Please refer to "Congure-System" section

for more detail. The default backup directory is C:\LiveUpdate_Temp, but the backup

le name will be automatically generated. It is hard to nd it out from a backup directory,

and we recommend you using Explorer to check date/time message of this backup le

to nd it out and write its name down to remember it.

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2. Online Update

2-1 Online Update - Update BIOS

This page lets you update your system BIOS from Internet. Click “start”, it will search the new

BIOS from Internet. Then follow the wizard to nish the update operation.

2-2 Online Update - Update Driver

This page lets you update your system drivers from Internet. Click “start”, it will search the new

drivers from Internet. Then follow the wizard to nish the update operation.

Click here

Current information

Search new BIOS

from Internet

Browse detailed

information

Update BIOS

Close the window

Select BIOS to update

Click here

Current information

Search new drivers

from Internet

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2-3 Online Update - Update Utility

This page lets you update utilities from Internet. Click “start”, it will search the new utilities from

Internet. Then follow the wizard to nish the update operation.

Browse detailed

information

Install the selected

driver

Close the window

Select the driver to update

Click here

Current information

Search new utilities

from Internet

Browse detailed

information

Install the selected

utility

Close the window

Select the utility to update

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2-4 Online Update - Update All

This page lets you update your system drivers from Internet. Click “start”, it will search all new

BIOS/drivers/utilities from Internet. Then follow the wizard to nish the update operation.

Click here

Current information

Search all new BIOS/

drivers/utilities from

Internet

Browse detailed

BIOS information

Close the window

Browse detailed

driver information

Browse detailed

utility information

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3. Congure

3-1 Congure - option

This page lets you set auto search options. After you enable the auto search function, FOX

LiveUpdate will start its searching from Internet and if any qualied item found, it will pop out a

message on the task bar to inform you to do the next step.

Double click on the icon as show below, you can see the detailed information.

Double click here

Apply the changes

Reset to default value

Click here

Set auto

search options

Select search

which kind of

versions

Set auto search

the latest

FOX LiveUpdate

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When you enable "Auto Search FOX LiveUpdate", if your FOX LiveUpdate version is older, it will

auto search from internet and prompt you to install the new version.

3-2 Congure - System

This page lets you set the backup BIOS location and change different skin of the FOX LiveUpdate

utility.

Click here

Set the location of

download les or

auto backup BIOS

Determine if the FOX LiveUpdate can

auto run when the system starts up

Select different skin

of the software

Apply the changes

Reset to default value

Prompt you to

install the new

FOX LiveUpdate

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3-3 Congure - Advance

This page lets you select to ash BIOS / Boot Block and clear CMOS. If you choose Flash Boot

Block, it means BIOS is not protective, and you must make sure the ash process is continuous

and without any interruption.

4. About & Help

This page shows some information about FOX LiveUpdate.

Click here

Select which BIOS ROM

to ash(Only available to

motherboard with backup

BIOS ROM )

Apply the changes

Reset to default value

Select to ash Boot Block

Select to clear CMOS

Click here

Show information about

FOX LiveUpdate

We recommend that you had better keep the default setting unchanged to avoid any

damage.

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FOX LOGO

FOX LOGO is a simple and useful utility to backup, change and delete the boot time

Logo. The boot Logo is the image that appears on screen during POST (Power-On

Self-Test).

You can prepare a bitmap image (1024x768) le, then use FOX LOGO to open it and

change the boot time Logo. Boot time Logo will be displayed if you enable the BIOS

"Full Screen Logo Show" setting in "Advanced BIOS Features" menu.

Supporting Operating Systems :

■ Windows 2000

■ Windows XP (32-bit and 64-bit)

■ Windows 2003 (32-bit and 64-bit)

■ Windows Vista (32-bit and 64-bit)

Using FOX LOGO:

Main Page

When you change Logo or delete current Logo, the system will ash BIOS le auto-

matically. During this time, please DO NOT shut down the application and the system,

or the motherboard will be damaged seriously.

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Minimize

Exit

Website

About

Backup

Change

De l e t e

Main screen

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FOX DMI

FOX DMI is a full Desktop Management Interface viewer, and it provides three DMI data

formats : Report, Data Fields and Memory Dump.

With DMI information, system maker can easily analyze and troubleshoot your mother-

board if there is any problem occurred.

Supporting Operating Systems :

■ Windows 2000

■ Windows XP (32-bit and 64-bit)

■ Windows 2003 (32-bit and 64-bit)

■ Windows Vista (32-bit and 64-bit)

Using FOX DMI:

Please operate this utility as the comments shows.

Click here to select
the DMI Data format
you need

Click here to select
the type you want
to view.

This chapter will cover two topics :

■ Creating a Bootable Array - Installing a new Windows XP

(Vista) in a brand new RAID system.

■ Creating a Non-Bootable Array - Existing Windows XP

(Vista) system with new RAID built as data storage.

It includes the following information :

■ RAID Conguration Introduction

■ NVIDIA MediaShield Driver

■ Create two RAID Driver Diskettes

■ RAID Enable in BIOS

■ Select a RAID Array for Use

■ Install a New Windows XP

■ Setting Up a Non-Bootable RAID Array

The RAID BIOS Setup pictures shown in this chapter are for
reference only, please refer to the practical screen.

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Creating a Bootable Array - Installing a new Windows XP (or Vista) in

a brand new RAID system.

1. Follow 5-1 to create two RAID driver diskettes.

2. Follow 5-2 to set RAID enabled in BIOS.

3. Follow 5-3 to select a RAID array for use.

4. Follow 5-4 to Install a new Windows Operating System.

What kinds of hardware and software you need here :

1. A oppy drive.

2. A DVD-ROM drive.

3. Several SATA hard disks.

4. Two RAID driver diskettes. (Can be created by using motherboard driver CD)

5. A motherboard driver CD.

6. Windows XP or Vista Install CD.

Creating a Non-Bootable Array - Existing Windows XP (or Vista)

system with new RAID built as data storage.

Follow 5-5 to go through the processes to build a new RAID array in your existing

Windows XP system, it includes :

1. Set RAID enabled in BIOS.

2. Follow 5-3 to select a RAID array for use.

3. Run setup program to install NVIDIA RAID driver into your current Windows XP
system.

4. Use Administrative Tools in Control Panel to format new RAID array.

What kinds of hardware and software you need here :

1. A DVD-ROM drive.

2. Several SATA hard disks.

3. A motherboard driver CD.

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RAID Conguration Introduction

RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) is a method for computer data storage

schemes that divide and/or replicate data among multiple hard drives. RAID can be

designed to provide increased data reliability (fault tolerance) or increased I/O (input/

output) performance, or both. The following RAID congurations are provided for

users.

There are three major key concepts in RAID:

1. Mirroring : The copying of data to more than one disk;

2. Striping : The splitting of data across more than one disk;

3. Error correction : Where redundant data is stored to allow problems to be detected

and possibly xed (known as fault tolerance).

Different RAID levels use one or more of these techniques, depending on the system

requirements. The main aims of using RAID are to improve reliability, important for

protecting information that is critical to a business, for example a database of customer

orders; or where speed is important, for example a system that delivers video on

demand TV programs to many viewers.

The conguration affects reliability and performance in different ways. The problem

with using more disks is that it is more likely that one will go wrong, but by using

error checking the total system can be made more reliable by being able to survive

and repair the failure. Basic mirroring can speed up reading data as a system can

read different data from both the disks, but it may be slow for writing if it insists that

both disks must conrm that the data is correctly written. Striping is often used for

performance, where it allows sequences of data to be read off multiple disks at the

same time. Error checking typically will slow the system down as data needs to be

read from several places and compared. The design of RAID systems is therefore a

compromise and understanding the requirements of a system is important. Modern

disk arrays typically provide the facility to select the appropriate RAID conguration.

RAID is often used in high availability systems, where it is important that the system

keeps running as much of the time as possible.

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RAID 0 (Striped)

RAID 0 reads and writes sectors of data interleaved among multiple drives. If any disk

member fails, it affects the entire array. The disk array data capacity is equal to the

number of drive members times the capacity of the smallest member. RAID 0 does

not support fault tolerance.

RAID 1 (Mirror)

RAID 1 writes duplicate data onto a pair of drives and reads both sets of data in

parallel. If one of the mirrored drives suffers a mechanical failure or does not respond,

the remaining drive will continue to function. Due to redundancy, the drive capacity of

the array is the capacity of the smallest drive.

RAID 5 (Parity)

RAID 5 provides data striping at the byte level and also stripes error correction

information. This results in excellent performance and good fault tolerance. Level 5 is

one of the most popular implementations of RAID.

RAID 0+1 (Striped Mirror)

RAID 10 is a combination of striping and mirroring. This conguration provides optimal

speed and reliability, but you need four SATA hard disks.

Spanning (JBOD)

JBOD stands for “Just a Bunch of Disks”. Each drive is accessed as if it were on a

standard SCSI host bus adapter. This is useful when a single drive conguration is

needed, but it offers no speed improvement or fault tolerance. A spanned volume is a

formatted partition which data is stored on more than one hard disk, yet appears as

one volume. Unlike RAID, spanned volumes have no fault-tolerance, so if any disk

fails, the data on the whole volume could be lost. Additionally, the system or boot

partitions cannot be included in a spanned volume. FAT16/32 and NTFS le systems

may be used, and the volume can span up to 32 hard disks.

Comparison Table :

Solution Hard Disks No. Capacity Performance Reliability Application

RAID0 >=2 All Highest Dangerous Look for speed

RAID1 2 50% Read faster Excellent 100% Data backup

RAID5 >=3 N-1 Read faster

Write slower

Good Limited budget

RAID0+1 >=4

(Even number)

Smallest

*2

High Excellent Unlimited budget

Span >=1 All none Dangerous Big disk space

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NVIDIA® MediaShield Driver

The NVIDIA® MediaShield driver supports RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 0+1
functions. It allows you to get high performance with fault tolerance, big capacity, or
data safety provided by different RAID functions.

Here, we will use four SATA hard disks as an example to guide you how to select your

RAID system. Assume four hard disks are connected to the motherboard :

SATA port 1 - WDC WD1200JD-98HBBO, 111.79GB

SATA port 2 - Hitachi HDT725025VLA, 232.88GB

SATA port 3 - HDS728080PLA380, 76.69GB

SATA port 4 - ST3320620AS, 298.09GB

The relationships between RAID settings and SATA ports on the motherboard are :

SATA Pri-Master RAID is the SATA port 1 of the motherboard.

SATA Pri-Slave RAID is the SATA port 2.

SATA Sec-Master RAID is the SATA port 3.

SATA Sec-Slave RAID is the SATA port 4.

In section 5-3 later, you will know the relationships between port numbers in the

MediaShield BIOS and SATA ports on the motherboard. We put their descriptions here

for better arrangement. They are :

Port 0.0 is the SATA port 1 of the motherboard.

Port 0.2 is the SATA port 2.

Port 0.1 is the SATA port 3.

Port 0.3 is the SATA port 4.

Phoenix - AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility

MCP SATA Mode

SATA Operation Mode

[RAID] Item Help

SATA Pri-Master RAID [Enabled]
SATA Pri-Slave RAID [Enabled] Menu Level ►
SATA Sec-Master RAID [Enabled]
SATA Sec-Slave RAID [Enabled]

↑↓→←:Move Enter:Select +/-/PU/PD:Value F10:Save ESC:Exit F1:General Help
F5:Previous Values F7:Optimized Defaults

RAID

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To achieve the best performance and reliability, we highly recommend you

using the hard disks with the same brand, size and model number. Though

we are using four different hard disks as an example to describe RAID

function in this chapter, it is only helpful in explaining what the nal disk

volume of the RAID array will be. In the real world, using the same model to

build a disk array is strongly recommended.

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Two topics will be covered in the following sections :

1). Creating a Bootable Array - Installing a new Windows XP in a brand new RAID

system.

2). Creating a Non-Bootable Array - Existing Windows XP system with new RAID

built as data storage.

Install SATA Hard Disks before we continue :

■ Shut down your computer.

■ Install SATA hard disks into the drive bays, connect all power and SATA cables.

MediaShield BIOS Jul 27 2007

- Dene a New Array -

RAID Mode: Mirrored Stripe Block: Optimal

Free Disks Array Disks

Port Disk Model Capacity Port Disk Model Capacity

[+] Add

[-] Del

[ESC] Quit [F6] Back [F7] Finish [TAB] Navigate [↑↓] Select [ENTER] Popup

Optimal

0.0 WDC WD1200JD-9 111.79GB

0.2 Hitachi HDT725 232.88GB

0.1 HDS728080PLA38 76.69GB

0.3 ST3320620AS 298.09GB

Striped

0.0 WDC WD1200JD-9 111.79GB

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1. Find a PC, put a diskette into its oppy

drive A:, this diskette will be formatted

later. Put the driver CD into DVD-ROM

drive, when the screen appears, click on

"Utility" icon, then click on "Create RAID

Driver Floppy" icon.

2. A message pops out telling you where

to nd the routine in driver CD to create

the driver diskette.

3. Depending on which platform your XP

system is, normally, it is a 32-bit system.

Use Windows explorer, and go to CD:\

Driver\NVIDIA\MCP78\Chipset\WinXP\

32bit\IDE\WinXP\sataraid\Floppy\Disk1,

click on RaidTool icon to start the

creation.

4. Click "GO" to start.

5. Select the desired destination FDD drive.

It can be the default drive A: or any USB

FDD. Click "OK" to continue.

5-1 Create two RAID Driver Diskettes

If you want to install a brand new Windows XP on a RAID system, you need to create two

RAID driver oppy diskettes which will be used during Windows XP installation later.

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6. Insert a diskette, click "OK" to continue.

7. You can input a volume label for this diskette,

click on "Start" to format.

8. Click on "OK" to go through this warning

message.

9. Format nished. Click "OK", then click "Close"

to continue copying of RAID driver into this

diskette.

10. Check if the rst diskette contains the

driver les.

11. Go to CD:\Driver\NVIDIA\MCP78\

Chipset\WinXP\32bit\IDE\WinXP\

sataraid\Floppy\Disk2, click on

RaidTool icon to start the second RAID

driver diskette creation. Repeat the

steps from step 4 to step 10.

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5-2 RAID Enable in BIOS

1. Enter the BIOS setup by pressing [Del] key when boot up.

2. Select the “Integrated Peripherals” from the “Main menu”, then select the “MCP

SATA Mode” menu and press [Enter] to go to the conguration items.

3. Enable RAID function and individual SATA port for hard drive or DVD connection.

4. Press [F10] to save the setting then PC will reboot itself.

5-3 Select a RAID Array for Use

When BIOS is restarted, it will display a message asking you to press [F10] key to

enter the main menu of MediaShield BIOS. Press [F10], the screen appears.

At the bottom of each screen displayed, there is one line listing each key’s function,

such as [Tab], [Enter], [ESC]...etc. It is helpful to make your choice easier.

MediaShield BIOS Jul 27 2007

- Dene a New Array -

RAID Mode: Mirrored Stripe Block: Optimal

Free Disks Array Disks

Port Disk Model Capacity Port Disk Model Capacity

[+] Add

[-] Del

[ESC] Quit [F6] Back [F7] Finish [TAB] Navigate [↑↓] Select [Enter] Popup

0.0 WDC WD1200JD-9 111.79GB

0.2 Hitachi HDT725 232.88GB

0.1 HDS728080PLA38 76.69GB

0.3 ST3320620AS 298.09GB

Mirrored

Optimal

0.0 WDC WD1200JD-9 111.79GB

Phoenix - AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility

MCP SATA Mode

SATA Operation Mode

[RAID] Item Help

SATA Pri-Master RAID [Enabled]
SATA Pri-Slave RAID [Enabled] Menu Level ►
SATA Sec-Master RAID [Enabled]
SATA Sec-Slave RAID [Enabled]

↑↓→←:Move Enter:Select +/-/PU/PD:Value F10:Save ESC:Exit F1:General Help
F5:Previous Values F7:Optimized Defaults

RAID

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MediaShield BIOS Jul 27 2007

- Dene a New Array -

RAID Mode: Mirrored Stripe Block: Optimal

Free Disks Array Disks

Port Disk Model Capacity Port Disk Model Capacity

[+] Add

[-] Del

[ESC] Quit [F6] Back [F7] Finish [TAB] Navigate [↑↓] Select [ENTER] Popup

Create RAID 0 (Striped)

1. Select "Striped" from the RAID Mode. The menu appears :

2. Select two hard disks to build our RAID0 system.

3. Press [TAB] to navigate to left drive panel, then use [→] and [↓] keys to add the hard

disks to the right drive panel.

Striped

Optimal

0.2 Hitachi HDT725 232.88GB

0.3 ST3320620AS 298.09GB

0.0 WDC WD1200JD-9 111.79GB

0.1 HDS728080PLA38 76.69GB

0.0 WDC WD1200JD-9 111.79GB

0.3 ST3320620AS 298.09GB

MediaShield BIOS Jul 27 2007

- Dene a New Array -

RAID Mode: Mirrored Stripe Block: Optimal

Free Disks Array Disks

Port Disk Model Capacity Port Disk Model Capacity

[+] Add

[-] Del

[ESC] Quit [F6] Back [F7] Finish [TAB] Navigate [↑↓] Select [ENTER] Popup

Optimal

0.0 WDC WD1200JD-9 111.79GB

0.2 Hitachi HDT725 232.88GB

0.1 HDS728080PLA38 76.69GB

0.3 ST3320620AS 298.09GB

Striped

0.0 WDC WD1200JD-9 111.79GB

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4. The stripe value should be selected based on different applications. It ranges from

4KB to 128KB. Some suggested choices are :

16K - Best for sequential transfer.

64K - Good general purpose strip size.

128K - Best performance for most desktops and workstations.

Keep it at Optimal default value. Press [F7] to nish the setting.

5. Press [Y] to continue, and press [Y] again to select "Clear MBR".

MediaShield BIOS Jul 27 2007

- Dene a New Array -

RAID Mode: Mirrored Stripe Block: Optimal

Free Disks Array Disks

Port Disk Model Capacity Port Disk Model Capacity

[+] Add

[-] Del

[ESC] Quit [F6] Back [F7] Finish [TAB] Navigate [↑↓] Select [ENTER] Popup

Striped

Optimal

0.2 Hitachi HDT725 232.88GB

0.3 ST3320620AS 298.09GB

0.0 WDC WD1200JD-9 111.79GB

0.1 HDS728080PLA38 76.79GB

0.0 WDC WD1200JD-9 111.79GB

0.3 ST3320620AS 298.09GB

All data on new (or added) disks will be overwritten. Continue?

[Y] YES [N] NO

MediaShield BIOS Jul 27 2007

- Dene a New Array -

RAID Mode: Mirrored Stripe Block: Optimal

Free Disks Array Disks

Port Disk Model Capacity Port Disk Model Capacity

[+] Add

[-] Del

[ESC] Quit [F6] Back [F7] Finish [TAB] Navigate [↑↓] Select [ENTER] Popup

Striped

Optimal

0.2 Hitachi HDT725 232.88GB

0.3 ST3320620AS 298.09GB

0.0 WDC WD1200JD-9 111.79GB

0.1 HDS728080PLA38 76.69GB

0.0 WDC WD1200JD-9 111.79GB

0.3 ST3320620AS 298.09GB

Clear MBR?

[Y] YES [N] NO

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6. The screen displays a STRIPE array of 153.38GB, which is twice the size of the smallest

hard disk. That is, 2*76.69GB = 153.38GB.

If you want to build a new Operating System (such as Windows XP) in this RAID

system, please press [B] to select it as bootable.

You can then press [Ctrl]+[X] keys to exit the setup program, and restart your PC.

7. In above screen, you also can press [Enter] to know the detailed drive information of

this RAID system. Press [D] here allow you to delete previous settings, and go back

to the rst time when MediaShield was started.

MediaShield BIOS Jul 27 2007

- Array List -

[Ctrl-X] Exit [↑↓] Select [B] Set Bootable [N] New Array [ENTER] Detail

Boot Status Vendor Array Size

Healthy NVIDIA STRIPE 153.38G

Array 4 : NVIDIA STRIPE 153.38G

- Array Detail-

RAID Mode: Striped

Stripe Width : 2 Stripe Block: 64K

[R] Rebuild [D] Delete [C] Clear MBR [ENTER] Return

Port Index Disk Model Capacity

0.0 0 WDC WD1200JD-98HBB0 111.79G

0.1 1 HDS728080PLA380 76.69GB

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Create RAID 1 (Mirrored)

1. Select “Mirrored” from the RAID Mode.

2. Select two hard disks to build our RAID1 system.

3. Press [TAB] to navigate to left drive panel, then use [→] and [↓] keys to add the hard

disks to the right drive panel.

MediaShield BIOS Jul 27 2007

- Dene a New Array -

RAID Mode: Mirrored Stripe Block: Optimal

Free Disks Array Disks

Port Disk Model Capacity Port Disk Model Capacity

[+] Add

[-] Del

[ESC] Quit [F6] Back [F7] Finish [TAB] Navigate [↑↓] Select [ENTER] Popup

Optimal

0.0 WDC WD1200JD-9 111.79GB

0.2 Hitachi HDT725 232.88GB

0.1 HDS728080PLA38 76.69GB

0.3 ST3320620AS 298.09GB

Mirrored

0.0 WDC WD1200JD-9 111.79GB

MediaShield BIOS Jul 27 2007

- Dene a New Array -

RAID Mode: Mirrored Stripe Block: Optimal

Free Disks Array Disks

Port Disk Model Capacity Port Disk Model Capacity

[+] Add

[-] Del

[ESC] Quit [F6] Back [F7] Finish [TAB] Navigate [↑↓] Select [ENTER] Popup

Mirrored

Optimal

0.0 WDC WD1200JD-9 111.79GB

0.1 HDS728080PLA38 76.69GB

0.2 Hitachi HDT725 232.88GB

0.3 ST3320620AS 298.09GB

0.2 Hitachi HDT725 232.88GB

0.1 HDS728080PLA38 76.69GB

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4. The stripe block value is xed and not changeable.

Press [F7] to nish the setting.

5. Press [Y] to continue, and press [Y] again to select "Clear MBR".

MediaShield BIOS Jul 27 2007

- Dene a New Array -

RAID Mode: Mirrored Stripe Block: Optimal

Free Disks Array Disks

Port Disk Model Capacity Port Disk Model Capacity

[+] Add

[-] Del

[ESC] Quit [F6] Back [F7] Finish [TAB] Navigate [↑↓] Select [ENTER] Popup

Mirrored

Optimal

0.2 Hitachi HDT725 232.88GB

0.3 ST3320620AS 298.09GB

0.0 WDC WD1200JD-9 111.79GB

0.1 HDS728080PLA38 76.79GB

0.0 WDC WD1200JD-9 111.79GB

0.3 ST3320620AS 298.09GB

All data on new (or added) disks will be overwritten. Continue?

[Y] YES [N] NO

MediaShield BIOS Jul 27 2007

- Dene a New Array -

RAID Mode: Mirrored Stripe Block: Optimal

Free Disks Array Disks

Port Disk Model Capacity Port Disk Model Capacity

[+] Add

[-] Del

[ESC] Quit [F6] Back [F7] Finish [TAB] Navigate [↑↓] Select [ENTER] Popup

Mirrored

Optimal

0.0 WDC WD1200JD-9 111.79GB

0.1 HDS728080PLA38 76.69GB

0.2 Hitachi HDT725 232.88GB

0.3 ST3320620AS 298.09GB

0.2 Hitachi HDT725 232.88GB

0.1 HDS728080PLA38 76.69GB

Clear MBR?

[Y] YES [N] NO

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6. The screen displays a MIRRORED array of 232.88GB, which is the size of the smallest

hard disk. That is, 232.88GB.

If you want to build a new Operating System (such as Windows XP) in this RAID

system, please press [B] to select it as bootable.

You can then press [Ctrl]+[X] keys to exit the setup program, and restart your PC.

7. In above screen, you also can press [Enter] to know the detailed drive information of

this RAID system. Press [D] here allow you to delete previous settings, and go back

to the rst time when MediaShield was started.

MediaShield BIOS Jul 27 2007

- Array List -

[Ctrl-X] Exit [↑↓] Select [B] Set Bootable [N] New Array [ENTER] Detail

Boot Status Vendor Array Size

Healthy NVIDIA MIRROR 232.88G

Array 4 : NVIDIA MIRROR 232.88G

- Array Detail -

RAID Mode: Mirrored

Stripe Width : 1 Stripe Block: 64K

[R] Rebuild [D] Delete [C] Clear MBR [ENTER] Return

Port Index Disk Model Capacity

0.2 0 Hitachi HDT725025VLA380 232.88G

0.3 1 ST3320620AS 298.09G

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Create RAID 0+1 (Striped Mirror)

1. Select “Striped Mirror” from the RAID Mode. The menu appears :

2. Select four hard disks to build our RAID0+1 system.

3. Press [TAB] to navigate to left drive panel, then use [→] and [↓] keys to add the hard

disks to the right drive panel.

MediaShield BIOS Jul 27 2007

- Dene a New Array -

RAID Mode: Mirrored Stripe Block: Optimal

Free Disks Array Disks

Port Disk Model Capacity Port Disk Model Capacity

[+] Add

[-] Del

[ESC] Quit [F6] Back [F7] Finish [TAB] Navigate [↑↓] Select [ENTER] Popup

Striped Mirror

Optimal

0.0 WDC WD1200JD-9 111.79GB

0.1 HDS728080PLA38 76.69GB

0.2 Hitachi HDT725 232.88GB

0.3 ST3320620AS 298.09GB

0.0 WDC WD1200JD-9 111.79GB

MediaShield BIOS Jul 27 2007

- Dene a New Array -

RAID Mode: Mirrored Stripe Block: Optimal

Free Disks Array Disks

Port Disk Model Capacity Port Disk Model Capacity

[+] Add

[-] Del

[ESC] Quit [F6] Back [F7] Finish [TAB] Navigate [↑↓] Select [ENTER] Popup

Optimal

0.0 WDC WD1200JD-9 111.79GB

0.2 Hitachi HDT725 232.88GB

0.1 HDS728080PLA38 76.69GB

0.3 ST3320620AS 298.09GB

Striped Mirror

0.0 WDC WD1200JD-9 111.79GB

5

81

MediaShield BIOS Jul 27 2007

- Dene a New Array -

RAID Mode: Mirrored Stripe Block: Optimal

Free Disks Array Disks

Port Disk Model Capacity Port Disk Model Capacity

[+] Add

[-] Del

[ESC] Quit [F6] Back [F7] Finish [TAB] Navigate [↑↓] Select [ENTER] Popup

4. The stripe value should be selected based on different applications. It ranges from

4KB to 128KB. Some suggested choices are :

16K - Best for sequential transfer.

64K - Good general purpose strip size.

128K - Best performance for most desktops and workstations.

Keep it at Optimal default value. Press [F7] to nish the setting.

5. Press [Y] to continue, and press [Y] again to select "Clear MBR".

MediaShield BIOS Jul 27 2007

- Dene a New Array -

RAID Mode: Mirrored Stripe Block: Optimal

Free Disks Array Disks

Port Disk Model Capacity Port Disk Model Capacity

[+] Add

[-] Del

[ESC] Quit [F6] Back [F7] Finish [TAB] Navigate [↑↓] Select [ENTER] Popup

Striped Mirror

Optimal

0.0 WDC WD1200JD-9 111.79GB

0.1 HDS728080PLA38 76.79GB

0.2 Hitachi HDT725 232.88GB

0.3 ST3320620AS 298.09GB

All data on new (or added) disks will be overwritten. Continue?

[Y] YES [N] NO

Striped Mirror

Optimal

0.0 WDC WD1200JD-9 111.79GB

0.1 HDS728080PLA38 76.69GB

0.2 Hitachi HDT725 232.88GB

0.3 ST3320620AS 298.09GB

0.0 WDC WD1200JD-9 111.79GB

Clear MBR?

[Y] YES [N] NO

5

82

6. The screen displays a RAID 0+1 array of 153.38GB, which is twice the size of the

smallest hard disk. That is, 2*76.69= 153.38GB.

If you want to build a new Operating System (such as Windows XP) in this RAID

system, please press [B] to select it as bootable.

You can then press [Ctrl]+[X] keys to exit the setup program, and restart your PC.

7. In above screen, you also can press [Enter] to know the detailed drive information of

this RAID system. Press [D] here allow you to delete previous settings, and go back

to the rst time when MediaShield was started.

MediaShield BIOS Jul 27 2007

- Array List -

[Ctrl-X] Exit [↑↓] Select [B] Set Bootable [N] New Array [ENTER] Detail

Boot Status Vendor Array Size

Healthy NVIDIA RAID 0+1 153.38G

Array 4 : NVIDIA RAID 0+1 153.38G

- Array Detail -

RAID Mode: Striped Mirror

Stripe Width : 2 Stripe Block: 64K

[R] Rebuild [D] Delete [C] Clear MBR [ENTER] Return

Port Index Disk Model Capacity

0.0 0 WDC WD1200JD-98HBB0 111.79G

0.1 1 HDS728080PLA380 76.69GB

0.2 2 Hitachi HDT725025VLA380 232.88G

0.3 3 ST3320620AS 298.09G

5

83

MediaShield BIOS Jul 27 2007

- Dene a New Array -

RAID Mode: Mirrored Stripe Block: Optimal

Free Disks Array Disks

Port Disk Model Capacity Port Disk Model Capacity

[+] Add

[-] Del

[ESC] Quit [F6] Back [F7] Finish [TAB] Navigate [↑↓] Select [ENTER] Popup

Create RAID 5

1. Select “RAID5” from the RAID Mode.

The menu appears :

2. Select three SATA hard disks to build our RAID5 system.

3. Press [TAB] to navigate to left drive panel, then use [→] and [↓] keys to add the hard

disks to the right drive panel.

Optimal

0.0 WDC WD1200JD-9 111.79GB

0.2 Hitachi HDT725 232.88GB

0.1 HDS728080PLA38 76.69GB

0.3 ST3320620AS 298.09GB

RAID5

0.0 WDC WD1200JD-9 111.79GB

MediaShield BIOS Jul 27 2007

- Dene a New Array -

RAID Mode: Mirrored Stripe Block: Optimal

Free Disks Array Disks

Port Disk Model Capacity Port Disk Model Capacity

[+] Add

[-] Del

[ESC] Quit [F6] Back [F7] Finish [TAB] Navigate [↑↓] Select [ENTER] Popup

RAID5

Optimal

0.0 WDC WD1200JD-9 111.79GB

0.1 HDS728080PLA38 76.69GB

0.2 Hitachi HDT725 232.88GB

0.0 WDC WD1200JD-9 111.79GB

0.3 ST3320620AS 298.09GB

5

84

4. The stripe value should be selected based on different applications. It ranges from

4KB to 128KB. Some suggested choices are :

16K - Best for sequential transfer.

64K - Good general purpose strip size.

128K - Best performance for most desktops and workstations.

Keep it at Optimal default value. Press [F7] to nish the setting.

5. Press [Y] to continue, and press [Y] again to select "Clear MBR".

MediaShield BIOS Jul 27 2007

- Dene a New Array -

RAID Mode: Mirrored Stripe Block: Optimal

Free Disks Array Disks

Port Disk Model Capacity Port Disk Model Capacity

[+] Add

[-] Del

[ESC] Quit [F6] Back [F7] Finish [TAB] Navigate [↑↓] Select [ENTER] Popup

RAID5

Optimal

0.0 WDC WD1200JD-9 111.79GB

0.1 HDS728080PLA38 76.69GB

0.2 Hitachi HDT725 232.88GB

0.0 WDC WD1200JD-9 111.79GB

0.3 ST3320620AS 298.09GB

All data on new (or added) disks will be overwritten. Continue?

[Y] YES [N] NO

MediaShield BIOS Jul 27 2007

- Dene a New Array -

RAID Mode: Mirrored Stripe Block: Optimal

Free Disks Array Disks

Port Disk Model Capacity Port Disk Model Capacity

[+] Add

[-] Del

[ESC] Quit [F6] Back [F7] Finish [TAB] Navigate [↑↓] Select [ENTER] Popup

RAID5

Optimal

0.0 WDC WD1200JD-9 111.79GB

0.1 HDS728080PLA38 76.69GB

0.2 Hitachi HDT725 232.88GB

0.0 WDC WD1200JD-9 111.79GB

0.3 ST3320620AS 298.09GB

Clear MBR?

[Y] YES [N] NO

5

85

6. The screen displays a RAID5 array of 153.38GB, which is twice the size of the smallest

hard disk. That is, 2*76.69= 153.38GB. Another hard disk is used for parity check.

If you want to build a new Operating System (such as Windows XP) in this RAID

system, please press [B] to select it as bootable.

You can then press [Ctrl]+[X] keys to exit the setup program, and restart your PC.

7. In above screen, you also can press [Enter] to know the detailed drive information of

this RAID system. Press [D] here allow you to delete previous settings, and go back

to the rst time when MediaShield was started.

MediaShield BIOS Jul 27 2007

- Array List -

[Ctrl-X] Exit [↑↓] Select [B] Set Bootable [N] New Array [ENTER] Detail

Boot Status Vendor Array Size

Healthy NVIDIA RAID5 153.38G

Array 4 : NVIDIA RAID5 153.38G

- Array Detail -

RAID Mode: RAID5
Stripe Width : 2 Stripe Block: 64K

[R] Rebuild [D] Delete [C] Clear MBR [ENTER] Return

Port Index Disk Model Capacity

0.0 0 WDC WD1200JD-98HBB0 111.79G

0.1 1 HDS728080PLA380 76.69GB

0.2 2 Hitachi HDT725025VLA380 232.88G

5

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Create Spanned RAID

1. Select “Spanned” from the RAID Mode. The menu appears :

2. Select three SATA hard disks to build our Spanned RAID system.

3. Press [TAB] to navigate to left drive panel, then use [→] and [↓] keys to add the hard

disks to the right drive panel.

MediaShield BIOS Jul 27 2007

- Dene a New Array -

RAID Mode: Mirrored Stripe Block: Optimal

Free Disks Array Disks

Port Disk Model Capacity Port Disk Model Capacity

[+] Add

[-] Del

[ESC] Quit [F6] Back [F7] Finish [TAB] Navigate [↑↓] Select [ENTER] Popup

Spanned

Optimal

0.0 WDC WD1200JD-9 111.79GB

0.1 HDS728080PLA38 76.69GB

0.2 Hitachi HDT725 232.88GB

0.0 WDC WD1200JD-9 111.79GB

0.3 ST3320620AS 298.09GB

MediaShield BIOS Jul 27 2007

- Dene a New Array -

RAID Mode: Mirrored Stripe Block: Optimal

Free Disks Array Disks

Port Disk Model Capacity Port Disk Model Capacity

[+] Add

[-] Del

[ESC] Quit [F6] Back [F7] Finish [TAB] Navigate [↑↓] Select [ENTER] Popup

0.0 WDC WD1200JD-9 111.79GB

0.2 Hitachi HDT725 232.88GB

0.1 HDS728080PLA38 76.69GB

0.3 ST3320620AS 298.09GB

Spanned

0.0 WDC WD1200JD-9 111.79GB

Optimal

5

87

4. The stripe block value is xed and not changeable.

Press [F7] to nish the setting.

5. Press [Y] to continue, and press [Y] again to select "Clear MBR".

MediaShield BIOS Jul 27 2007

- Dene a New Array -

RAID Mode: Mirrored Stripe Block: Optimal

Free Disks Array Disks

Port Disk Model Capacity Port Disk Model Capacity

[+] Add

[-] Del

[ESC] Quit [F6] Back [F7] Finish [TAB] Navigate [↑↓] Select [ENTER] Popup

Spanned

Optimal

0.0 WDC WD1200JD-9 111.79GB

0.1 HDS728080PLA38 76.69GB

0.2 Hitachi HDT725 232.88GB

0.0 WDC WD1200JD-9 111.79GB

0.3 ST3320620AS 298.09GB

All data on new (or added) disks will be overwritten. Continue?

[Y] YES [N] NO

MediaShield BIOS Jul 27 2007

- Dene a New Array -

RAID Mode: Mirrored Stripe Block: Optimal

Free Disks Array Disks

Port Disk Model Capacity Port Disk Model Capacity

[+] Add

[-] Del

[ESC] Quit [F6] Back [F7] Finish [TAB] Navigate [↑↓] Select [ENTER] Popup

Spanned

Optimal

0.0 WDC WD1200JD-9 111.79GB

0.1 HDS728080PLA38 76.69GB

0.2 Hitachi HDT725 232.88GB

0.0 WDC WD1200JD-9 111.79GB

0.3 ST3320620AS 298.09GB

Clear MBR?

[Y] YES [N] NO

5

88

6. The screen displays a Spanned RAID array of 421.36GB, which is the total sizes of

these three hard disks. That is, 111.79+76.69+232.88= 421.36GB. We recommend

not setting it to bootable as it will be impossible to recover if crashed. You can then

press [Ctrl]+[X] keys to exit the setup program, and restart your PC.

7. In above screen, you also can press [Enter] to know the detailed drive information of

this RAID system. Press [D] here allow you to delete previous settings, and go back

to the rst time when MediaShield was started.

MediaShield BIOS Jul 27 2007

- Array List -

[Ctrl-X] Exit [↑↓] Select [B] Set Bootable [N] New Array [ENTER] Detail

Boot Status Vendor Array Size

Healthy NVIDIA SPAN 421.36G

Array 4 : NVIDIA SPAN 421.36G

- Array Detail -

RAID Mode: Spanned

Stripe Width : 3 Stripe Block: 64K

[R] Rebuild [D] Delete [C] Clear MBR [ENTER] Return

Port Index Disk Model Capacity

0.0 0 WDC WD1200JD-98HBB0 111.79G

0.1 1 HDS728080PLA380 76.69GB

0.2 2 Hitachi HDT725025VLA380 232.88G

5

89

5-4 Creating a Bootable Array- Install a New Windows XP

Assume a Mirrored array (232.88GB) was created as introduced in section 5-3, after

the system restarts :

1. Press [Del] to enter BIOS Setup during POST.

2. Insert the Windows installation CD into the optical drive.

3. Set the “First Boot Device” to “CDROM”, save changes and exit BIOS.

4. The computer will reboot, and it will start installing Windows Operating System.

Watch the screen carefully, when the following picture appears, press [F6] key

immediately. If you forgot to do this, PC will go to an fatal blue screen, and you

may need to reboot the system again. PC may not respond to your [F6] input

immediately, and it keeps loading les until the next screen displays.

Windows Setup

Press F6 if you need to install a 3rd party SCSI or RAID driver.

Phoenix - AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility

Advanced BIOS Features

► Removable Device Priority

[Press Enter] Item Help

► Hard Disk Boot Priority

[Press Enter]

► CD-ROM Boot Priority [Press Enter]

Menu Level ►

First Boot Device [CDROM]

Second Boot Device

[CDROM] Select Your Boot Device

Third Boot Device [Removable]

Priority

Boot Other Device

[Enabled]

Boot Up Floppy Seek

[Disabled]

Boot Up NumLock Status

[on]

Security Option

[Setup]

Full Screen Logo Show

[Enabled]

↑↓→←:Move Enter:Select +/-/PU/PD:Value F10:Save ESC:Exit F1:General Help
F5:Previous Values F7:Optimized Defaults

CDROM

5

90

5. After some les are copied to your system, the following picture appears, press [S]

to continue the specic driver installation.

6. It will ask you to insert the RAID driver diskette 1 into your oppy drive. Press [Enter]

after it is done.

Windows Setup

Please insert the disk labeled

manufacturer-supplied hardware support disk

into Drive A:

* Press ENTER when ready

Enter=Continue ESC=Cancel F3=Exit

Windows Setup

Setup could not determine the type of one or more mass storage devices
installed in your system, or you have chosen to manually specify an adapter.
Currently, Setup will load support for the following mass storage device(s):

<none>

* To specify additional SCSI adapters, CD-ROM drivers, or special
disk controllers for use with Windows, including those for
which you have a device support disk from a mass storage device
manufacturer, press S.

* If you do not have any device support disks from a mass storage
device manufacturer, or do not want to specify additional
mass storage devices for use with Windows, press ENTER.

S=Specify Additional Device ENTER=Continue F3=Exit

5

91

7. There are two drivers, all these two drivers must be installed. Press [Enter] to select

the rst driver - "NVIDIA RAID Driver (required)".

8. A conrmation message apperas to double check if the driver is really what we

wanted. As we need to install both two drivers, so we will press [S] again to select

the second driver. It will ask you to insert the RAID driver diskette into your oppy

drive again, press [Enter] to continue.

Windows Setup

You have chosen to configure a SCSI Adapter for use with Windows,
using a device support disk provided by an adapter manufacturer.

Select the SCSI Adapter you want from the following list, or press ESC
to return to the previous screen.

ENTER=Select F3=Exit

NVIDIA nForce Storage Controller (required)

NVIDIA RAID Driver (required)

Windows Setup

Setup will load support for the following mass storage device(s):

NVIDIA RAID Driver (required)

* To specify additional SCSI adapters, CD-ROM drivers, or special
disk controllers for use with Windows, including those for
which you have a device support disk from a mass storage device
manufacturer, press S.

* If you do not have any device support disks from a mass storage
device manufacturer, or do not want to specify additional
mass storage devices for use with Windows, press ENTER.

S=Specify Additional Device ENTER=Continue F3=Exit

5

92

9. Use [↓] key to select "NVIDIA nForce Storage Controller (required)", then press

[Enter]. Still, The RAID oppy diskette 1 is inside the oppy drive.

10. Two drivers are displayed. Press [Enter] to continue.

Windows Setup

Setup will load support for the following mass storage device(s):

NVIDIA RAID Driver (required)
NVIDIA nForce Storage Controller (required)

* To specify additional SCSI adapters, CD-ROM drivers, or special
disk controllers for use with Windows, including those for
which you have a device support disk from a mass storage device
manufacturer, press S.

* If you do not have any device support disks from a mass storage
device manufacturer, or do not want to specify additional
mass storage devices for use with Windows, press ENTER.

S=Specify Additional Device ENTER=Continue F3=Exit

Windows Setup

You have chosen to configure a SCSI Adapter for use with Windows,
using a device support disk provided by an adapter manufacturer.

Select the SCSI Adapter you want from the following list, or press ESC
to return to the previous screen.

ENTER=Select F3=Exit

NVIDIA nForce Storage Controller (required)

NVIDIA RAID Driver (required)

NVIDIA nForce Storage Controller (required)

5

93

11. Windows will display the partition of your system. As we are using a Mirrored RAID

array as an example, its size 232.88GB is now displayed as 238473MB. You can

press [C] to create partitions as many as you wish, assign them C:, D: or E: logical

drive names.

(Note : 238473MB/1024 = 232.88GB)

12. In this example, we will create a 30GB partition C: and leave the remainding space

as a partition E:. Drive D: is DVD drive. Press [Enter] to install Windows.

Windows XP Professional Setup

The following list shows the existing partitions and
unpartitioned space on this computer.

Use the UP ad DOWN ARROW keys to select an item in the list.

● To set up Windows XP on the selected item, press ENTER.

● To create a partition in the unpartitioned space, press C.

● To delete the selected partitions, press D.

238473 MB Disk 0 at id 1 on bus 0 on nvrd32 [MBR]

ENTER=Install C=Create Partition F3=Quit

Unpartitioned space 238473 MB

Windows XP Professional Setup

The following list shows the existing partitions and
unpartitioned space on this computer.

Use the UP and DOWN ARROW keys to select an item in the list.

● To set up Windows XP on the selected item, press ENTER.

● To create a partition in the unpartitioned space, press C.

● To delete the selected partitions, press D.

238473 MB Disk 0 at id 1 on bus 0 on nvrd32 [MBR]

E: Partition2 [New (Raw)] 208468 MB ( 208468 MB free)
Unpartitioned space 8 MB

ENTER=Install D=Delete Partition F3=Quit

C: Partition1 [New (Raw)] 29996 MB ( 29996 MB free)